What will 150 wolves eat?

[buckfvr]

I tend to believe our forfathers did the right thing out of necessity....history shall repeat itsself .........

[JimmyHoffa]

There might not be many wolf attack records here in North America.  In Europe and Asia at times in history wolves were so numerous that they preyed on humans in significant numbers--hunting and killing many thousands of humans.  The big, bad wolf wasn't just dreamed up, there was an element of truth to it.

[bearpaw]

Different research has shown different results. When I was figuring out the impact of wolves, there was a study in YNP that indicated a wolf eats 17 elk or 44 deer per year. I'm sure these figures don't account for what the researchers didn't find. Also there is the sport killing like the doe shown above. I don't think we have a solid picture of the total number of animals that wolves will kill.

150 wolves x 17 elk = 2550 elk per year
or
150 wolves x 44 deer = 6600 deer per year

After reproduction this spring, we will have a lot more wolves. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Bearpaw, the YNP researchers have revised the number to 23-24 elk per wolf based on kills in YNP.  They originally planned for 12-13 before introduction, but the wolves ate TWICE what they anticipated. 

[high country]

Also realize there is no pressure applied to the wolves in ynp. Here they have much more interaction to chew up those calories.

[RadSav]

I received this photo just the other day.  They claim it is from Idaho.   How many deer do you think it would take to feed them for just one day?  I don't think just one would do it.

[bearpaw]

with your revised numbers.....

150 wolves x 23.5 elk = 3525 elk per year

Although the average wlf population growth in Idaho is thought to be 20% to 24%, some wolf populations grow 50% or more in a year, this is not looking good.


(that photo was taken in the arctic, but there are some known large packs in ID/MT)

[3nails]

i think some of these Seattle people should see these style pictures to see what wolves are all about.
after looking over a state survey these people seem more afraid of having coyotes around than wolves.
doesn't make since to me. they need to do a story on the news about this to spread the word of what wolves are really like. that might change some opinions.

You can't make blanket statements like that.  I live in Tacoma, and I know that wolves kill a lot of game, viciously.  So what, that's not exactly a newsflash.  They are part of the ecosystem and always have been.  So are we.  We need to just man up and deal with it intelligenty instead of irrationally viewing wolves as evil and trying to exterminate every one we see.   I just don't understand all the over-reaction, especially by hunters.  We should know better and keep our cool.  Sensational and stupid movies like "The Grey" don't help, either.

You are correct. Wolves are not evil. Guns are not evil either. But either one can be used to accomplish an evil objective. Wolves are the current (and best so far) tool of the antis' to eliminate hunting and then to eliminate gun ownership. The far left truly believes people to be parasites on this planet and need to be controlled by stripping our freedoms. This can only be accomplished after we have been dis-armed and are unable to defend ourselves. There is SO much more going on with this than just animals.

[buckfvr]

i think some of these Seattle people should see these style pictures to see what wolves are all about.
after looking over a state survey these people seem more afraid of having coyotes around than wolves.
doesn't make since to me. they need to do a story on the news about this to spread the word of what wolves are really like. that might change some opinions.

You can't make blanket statements like that.  I live in Tacoma, and I know that wolves kill a lot of game, viciously.  So what, that's not exactly a newsflash.  They are part of the ecosystem and always have been.  So are we.  We need to just man up and deal with it intelligenty instead of irrationally viewing wolves as evil and trying to exterminate every one we see.   I just don't understand all the over-reaction, especially by hunters.  We should know better and keep our cool.  Sensational and stupid movies like "The Grey" don't help, either.

You are correct. Wolves are not evil. Guns are not evil either. But either one can be used to accomplish an evil objective. Wolves are the current (and best so far) tool of the antis' to eliminate hunting and then to eliminate gun ownership. The far left truly believes people to be parasites on this planet and need to be controlled by stripping our freedoms. This can only be accomplished after we have been dis-armed and are unable to defend ourselves. There is SO much more going on with this than just animals.

   

 This last quote is the truth......it is correct in every aspect,  but ignored by those who for some ungodly reason cant see beyond one event at a time.

[seth30]

For every human that is killed by wolves I put the blame on  those that enabled them back into the eco system.  If you let a drunk drive are you not just as guilty if he kills someone?  Those in certain areas of our state that want wolves do not fully understand the dilema it causes.

[Bob33]

Trying to estimate how many of "x" animals wolves will eat depends on where they are, and what the available food source is.  In areas with very few elk, but lots of deer, they most likely will not eat 20 elk per year.  For example, I doubt wolves kill 20 elk per year in Minnesota on average.

Once an elk population has been severely diminished like it has in the Lolo herd, the wolves will still need 11 pounds of meat, but it will come from fewer and fewer elk.  Deer, livestock, pets: whatever is easiest will be the food of choice.

[ICEMAN]

Sounds like we better stop hunting in these areas altogether to make sure they have enough to survive on.

[stuckalot]

Sounds like we better stop hunting in these areas altogether to make sure they have enough to survive on.

That will come up for serious discussion by some... Mark my words!

[christopheri]

Sounds like we better stop hunting in these areas altogether to make sure they have enough to survive on.

That will come up for serious discussion by some... Mark my words!

Im sure it already has become discussion by some. The plan is already in motion im sure. Do I have any proof of this? No but it would seem to be the next logical move for the anti hunting community.

[sebek556]

  welcome to phase 2 of their plan and also why they will fight non stop so that wolves will be be delisted so it can spread further, and they will have legal backing to shut down hunting to feed the wolves.