State offers training on wolf kills

[jager]

             Your morning load of (wolf) crap from WDFW...

Washington state wildlife officials said they’re willing to train Stevens County sheriff’s deputies on how to identify livestock that has been killed by wolves.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers will be the lead investigators but additional trained eyes at the scene can only help, said Bruce Bjork, the agency’s chief of enforcement.

“We’ll certainly take whatever assistance we can get from the county, whether that’s initial response when a call comes in to assistance at the scene,” he said. “We’re going to try to work as jointly as possible with the counties.”

Stevens County Sheriff Kendle Allen has proposed forming his own investigative team for livestock predation. He’s basing the concept on Wallowa County, Ore., where sheriff’s deputies investigate suspected wolf kills alongside state wildlife officials.

The Wallowa County sheriff’s department got involved because local ranchers distrusted Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife agents, Allen said.

In Wallowa County, “the sheriff is used like a second opinion, and that’s what we’re looking at here,” he said. “If we do have a suspected wolf kill, we’ll have deputies trained to go out and look at remains, the tracks and investigate it.”

Allen said a county investigation team would uphold “the rights of our local cattlemen and property owners … and if they have some type of restitution coming, make sure they have every chance of collecting it.”

Washington has had only one confirmed wolf killing of livestock – the 2007 death of a calf near Laurier, a community in northern Stevens County. But Northeast Washington is home to three known wolf packs – the largest concentration in the state.

At a recent Washington Cattlemen’s meeting in Colville, several ranchers said they had lost cattle on their Forest Service grazing allotments and suspected wolves as the culprits. Ranchers can be compensated for livestock killed by wolves. But under state law, the Department of Fish and Wildlife must first confirm a wolf kill.

An animal’s cause of death isn’t always obvious, which is why forensic training is necessary, said Nate Pamplin, assistant director for WDFW’s wildlife program.

Last August, wolves were suspected in the killing of a sheep on a Forest Service allotment within the home-range of Central Washington’s Teanaway pack. But an investigation later determined that the sheep was killed by a cougar before being scavenged by wolves.

“It really requires that an individual has experience looking at different carcasses and at different biological factors,” Pamplin said. “Is there hemorrhaging that would indicate the animal was killed by a predator? Or was it just bite marks on a dead carcass?”

Several dozen WDFW law enforcement officers and biologists have been trained to assess livestock carcasses. In March, they’ll get a refresher course from a former USDA Wildlife Services agent who’s a national expert on predation, Pamplin said.

In Stevens County, heavily forested grazing areas prevent ranchers from finding wolf kills, said Don Dashiell, a county commissioner and rancher. The only evidence that livestock owners might have is fewer cows. “You’re never able to find the carcasses and bones,” Dashiell said.

He’d like to see ranch records on livestock losses accepted as criteria for compensation.

State officials acknowledged that some livestock carcasses won’t be found, so they offered one of the West’s most liberal compensation packages, Pamplin said. On large ranches, livestock owners will receive twice the animal’s value for each confirmed wolf kill. Under state statute, cows and horses are valued at $1,500 each. Sheep are valued $200.

“We’re trying to account for the unknown factor, that maybe other (livestock) losses could be attributed to wolves,” Pamplin said.

[DoubleJ]

Again I say, if it's not wolves killing the livestock, then it must be legal to kill whatever is killing the livestock, right?

[bearpaw]

The confirmed livestock loss was the McIrvin ranch, they are the same rancher who is missing 27 head of livestock this fall in the same area as the previous kill. Neighbors are also missing cattle. They had a big meeting in Stevens county, I don't think residents are not going to put up with this for too long. My information indicates that we have roughly 20 to 40 wolves in stevens county alone. There are 1 or 2 packs in GMU 105, 1 or 2 packs in GMU 111, 1 or 2 packs in 121, a pack in 117, and reportings and sightings of 1 or 2 wolves in 108.

Stevens county is a prime example of what Washington is in for. Most of the county is checker boarded with private ranches and grazing occurs county wide. This simply is not good wolf country.

[boneaddict]

I thought it was only 4 or 5.       NOT really funny I know.

[jackmaster]

ya got that right bearpaw, maybe we will get a govenor with some balls and tell the feds to stick it, open it up like idaho, its time to hammer these wolves before it gets to late, i sure hope the new govenor has the protection of washingtons deer and elk at the top of his list

[danderson]

Why doesnt the department hire a local rancher, thats in the affected area to locate some of these missing cattle, after all who else knows there farmland better, and while there at it, the job of verifing these wolf packs would get done alot sooner if ranchers had some input, I know of at least one rancher that could do the job, lets stop beating around the bush and get the job done.

[high country]

Perhaps sitka blacktail will dress like a cow and get some video footage.

[WAcoyotehunter]

conservation northwest if funding a couple collars and will be sending volunteers into the woods to locate kill sites and determine what the wolves are eating. It's an outreach program to the ranchers to help them know if the wolves are working on the cattle herds.

It might be useful for a few of us to volunteer to help with that effort.  I have already shown interest and will plan on hiking in to take a look whenever I can.

[high country]

I will offer my time and a couple dozen rifles to do state authorized post mortem exams.

[bearpaw]

I know you are joking bone, but I am sure there are those including the WDFW who will laugh off the numbers I suggest.

In GMU 105 there have been wolves for several years since before that first confirmed kill in 2007. In 2010 there were 5 pups seen by many different people in numerous locations on the east side of 105. Now wolves are being spotted on a pretty regular basis all around 105. This summer a dump truck driver we know broke down up in the west side, he had at least 4 wolves close around him that were howling at him. Many other residents report seeing wolves. Numerous members on this forum have also reported seeing or hearing wolves in 105.

In GMU 111 we have been seeing wolf tracks for a couple years. There was a pack of at least 4 maybe 5 adult wolves all winter 2010/2011 on Smackout. This spring 2011 WDFW has confirmed there are two adult wolves with 3 pups on Smackout. Also this summer my neighbor had 5 adult wolves in his backyard trying to attack his german shepherds in their 6 ft high kennel. He fired shots in the air to chase them off. Another neighbor here on the south end of GMU 11 saw a pack of adult wolves later this last summer. I also had a report of a pack of wolves up north between Ione and Metaline. (that's GMU 111 but in pend orielle county)

GMU 121 has a pack of hybrids that was realeased in the north end of the unit on the Orin/Rice summit by a previous resident, when he moved out of the area he turned them all loose. On the south end of the county there are many reports of wolves and the hybrids do not wander far from their original home. It is beleived the wolves in southern 121 near Hunters/Springdale are wild wolves.

In GMU 117 a bull elk was killed in a logging road be a pack of at least 4 or 5 wolves a couple years ago. I have seen tracks in this unit myself for many years. This pack doesn't seem to grow much.

A rancher we know saw two wolves together in GMU 108. My son who has been around a lot of wolves in central Idaho saw a wolf in 108. It is very possible these wolves in 108 are some of the wolves in 111. But the wolves in 105 are across the Columbia River and the wolves in 117 and 121 are much farther south. I doubt any of those wolves are the same wolves as spotted in any other units.

[bearpaw]

Perhaps sitka blacktail will dress like a cow and get some video footage.

     LMAO

[spookgus]

How can the Sheriffs Dept be a second opinion to the Dept of Wildlife, when the Dept of Wildlife will train the Sheriffs on what to perceive as a wolf kill?

"Yes Sir your livestock was eaten by wolves but your livestock was killed by a mountain lion, coyotes, stray bullets, contrails, lightning, etc."

[Elkslayer]

conservation northwest if funding a couple collars and will be sending volunteers into the woods to locate kill sites and determine what the wolves are eating. It's an outreach program to the ranchers to help them know if the wolves are working on the cattle herds.

It might be useful for a few of us to volunteer to help with that effort.  I have already shown interest and will plan on hiking in to take a look whenever I can.

Is there any information on this? I would be interested in helping out as well.

[bearpaw]

How can the Sheriffs Dept be a second opinion to the Dept of Wildlife, when the Dept of Wildlife will train the Sheriffs on what to perceive as a wolf kill?

"Yes Sir your livestock was eaten by wolves but your livestock was killed by a mountain lion, coyotes, stray bullets, contrails, lightning, etc."

I would believe the local sherrif more than some of the wildllife folks. Let me say, there are also some people in wildlife who are completely honest and beleivable too. The problem is that too many Defender's people are working in WDFW and nobody trusts any of them. Some of the people on this forum know a few specific people that may fit into that category.

The sherriff deputies could be trained to investigate for tracks, scat, and any other sign. You can skin areas with bites and there are patterns to teeth you can look for and whether the bite marks show trauma (bleeding, bloodshot around the teeth marks). If an animal is already dead, there won't be trauma around the teeth marks. The method at which an animal is eaten explains a lot too. Wolves feed much differently than cougar do.

This is actually a good move for WDFW to get other agencies involved. Somehow we have to move this wolf issue into the next stages and start confirming wolves and any damage by wolves, this is a step in the right direction. 

Another thing, I beleive WDFW should be asking citizens for more help.

WaCoyote is suggesting a good thing......

[Special T]

I'm gona play the role as pessimist on this one. So its great that they are offering trainging for Sherrifs in Stevens county... That will help those people... What about the other surrounding counties? What about Okanogan? Chelan? Or vern the neiboring ones to Stevens?

If i were the one with a wolf spreading adjenda I would offer up this little piece of "cooperation" where there is the most noise. the last think I would want is to have neighboring counties get out in front of this. How would i be able to hide numbers until its too late? 
If i lived in the Okanogan, as i know many member on here do, I would push VERY hard for thier sherrifs to get the same training. 

[spookgus]

Bearpaw, I tend to value you opinion on these issues.
It seems interesting that Washington has only confirmed livestock predation by wolves once(2007) according to this article. The wolf issue and many other issues are making me just a little bit cynical.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've got a better idea. Train volunteer hunters to help with the investigation. We don't need to be paying a cop to go look at dead animals to see if a wolf killed it or not. That's assnine ! Cops need to do their jobs investigating crimes on people, property, meth etc.

[high country]

I have a better idea yet, let landowners shoot any wolves that show up on their ground. Soon enough the wolves will figure out where is friendly and where is not.

[DoubleJ]

I have a better idea yet, let landowners shoot any wolves that show up on their ground. Soon enough the wolves will figure out where is friendly and where is not.

That should be going on anyway

[h2ofowlr]

I thought it was only 4 or 5.       NOT really funny I know.

The game dept. doesn't have enough staff to track all the wolves.  Only when they get multiple shots / hair DNA samples etc. do they reluctantly determine there is a pack there.  I think they are reporting false info by not reporting 100% accurate info.  They may claim it's the truth, but they are only giving you part of the truth.  If you flat out tell the hunting public, there are a 100+ wolves in Washington.  After all the damage that is being done in Idaha, Montana and Wyoming, the smarter half might just try to fix stupid and cull those numbers.  If you start with corrupt individuals and officials and a bad plan.  Then they have the money, elbow rubbing and back door tactics and the contacts to make it law, shouldn't those individuals be held accountable for the misdeeds they cause to the greater public as a whole?

[villageidiot]

The McIrvin family in Orient reported animals killed way back in 06 or 07 from wolves, because I remember this.  They now have had multiple cattle killed and have even seen 11 wolves in one pack according to Bill McIrvin on NPR radio this morning.  Fish and Game still claim there are no reported wolve packs in that area and the closest are 100 miles away.  These were reported way back in 06 and 07 and nothing has been done to check it out.  You can only sympathize with the rancher on his frustrations over this situation.  How do we ever get all these packs recognized?

[nwwanderer]

Working with sheriffs, prosecutors and other elected county officials is a real and positive approach.  County enpowerment can trump federal and state law, it takes a county group with the attitude to protect and serve.  Probably not an option in King, but how many stock problems to we expect on the wet side?  Hunters may be able to stir up the county groups in some counties, sure worth a shot, pardon the pun.
The feds and the state may step up but way late, years if not decades.
Sorry for the repetition, but here it is again, they are here and not going away.  We have no choice but to deal with them. 

[Killmore]

I  think it's a good idea to train some cop's but why stop at one county? I would like the game department to invite every county in the state to get involved. But I bet most are under staffed and don't have time...