Post by: BB on September 21, 2012, 05:03:51 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/)
September 21, 2012
Contacts: Dave Ware, WDFW, (360) 902-2509
Bruce Botka, WDFW, (360) 902-2262
WDFW plans to eliminate wolf pack to end attacks
on livestock and 'reset' stage for recovery in the Wedge
OLYMPIA - In response to ongoing attacks on livestock by a wolf pack in Northeast Washington that appears to be preying exclusively on cattle, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced it plans to eliminate the pack and lay a foundation for sustainable, long-term wolf recovery in the region.
WDFW Director Phil Anderson said the plan has the support of key conservation interests and livestock operators. Two organizations that participated in developing the state's 2011 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan - Conservation Northwest and the Washington Cattlemen's Association - joined the department in issuing a statement explaining their positions. The full statement is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/attach/sep2112a_01.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/attach/sep2112a_01.pdf)
Anderson said two WDFW teams are in the field today with the goal of killing the members of the Wedge Pack, a group of at least eight wolves whose range includes a remote, roughly triangular area of northern Stevens County bordered by Canada and the Columbia and Kettle rivers.
Anderson said WDFW marksmen would hunt the wolves from the ground and, if those efforts are not successful, might use helicopters to increase the effectiveness of their efforts. WDFW is consulting with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services office, the Stevens County Sheriff's Office and independent wildlife biologists with extensive experience with wolf management in other Western states.
The Wedge Pack is believed to have killed or injured at least 15 cattle from the Diamond M herd, which grazes in a large area near the Canadian border. Attacks have become increasingly frequent since July, continuing even after WDFW staff killed a non-breeding member of the pack in early August. Since then, Anderson said, WDFW wildlife specialists and wolf experts from other states believe the Wedge wolves have become dependent on cattle as their primary food source.
"Once wolves become habituated to livestock as their primary food source, all of the wolf experts we've talked to agree that we have no alternative but to remove the entire pack," Anderson said. "By doing that, we will preserve the opportunity for the recovery of gray wolves in balance with viable livestock operations."
Jack Field, Executive Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, said, "We understand that as wolves re-populate the state there will be conflicts with livestock. We also understand that we need to work with WDFW to find solutions, including the use of non-lethal measures, in order to minimize losses for producers, but we need everyone else to understand that managing and killing wolves that cause problems is an important part of a healthy co-existence."
Conservation Northwest Executive Director Mitch Friedman said, "As difficult as this situation with the Wedge Pack is to accept on a personal level, we understand and agree that pack removal is the right action at this point. We have been strong advocates for exhausting all non-lethal means possible to avoid this situation and are extremely disappointed that it has come to this."
Friedman expressed a strong desire for the department and ranchers in areas with wolves to work together to avoid a repeat of this situation. "There has to be a commitment on the part of all sides to allow wolves to occupy the landscape while protecting the rancher's livelihood and maintain their ability to raise cattle," he said.
Field said the Cattlemen's Association is encouraging landowners to enter into cooperative management agreements with WDFW that specify non-lethal measures that a livestock operator will use to minimize wolf-livestock conflict.
Anderson said the management agreements would provide cost-share funding for such measures and could include "caught in the act" kill permits to enable livestock operators in Eastern Washington to protect their livestock. The department will continue to offer compensation to ranchers for wolf-caused livestock losses, he said.
"These agreements are necessary to improve cooperation between the department and livestock operators to help address the problems caused by wolves," said Field.
Post by: turkeyfeather on September 21, 2012, 05:09:10 PM
Post by: bobcat on September 21, 2012, 05:12:10 PM
Now having said that, I wish I could get that job.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 21, 2012, 05:22:17 PM
That's great but the same thing is just going to happen over and over again. How can the state afford to continually go out and kill entire packs of wolves?
Now having said that, I wish I could get that job.
...............you and me both !!!!
Post by: boneaddict on September 21, 2012, 05:24:51 PM
Post by: huntrights on September 21, 2012, 05:36:10 PM
Should we be sending letters of support to the WDFW with their plans to terminate the pack? I am sure extremist organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity will try to stop the WDFW plans.
Those that supported this wolf reintroduction were clearly told this would happen. It will continue to happen.
So how much does it cost the WDFW to support this wolf reintroduction and dealing with the problems they will bring? By the way, that's our money they are using.
Post by: lokidog on September 21, 2012, 05:54:35 PM
Post by: Jack Diamond on September 21, 2012, 05:57:03 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on September 21, 2012, 05:58:26 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 21, 2012, 06:00:08 PM
Not surprised that they are targeting cattle, a little amazed the WDFW issued a kill order, that is the right thing to do.
They should send you over there and trap them at $ 1000 apiece. That would cheaper than WDFW doing it.
Post by: Jack Diamond on September 21, 2012, 06:09:34 PM
Post by: mkcj on September 21, 2012, 06:12:32 PM
Well sure they have would you rather chase a 20mph deer or a 2mph cow? It all tastes like chicken to them so they don't care :bash:
And once they clean an area of deer they will go looking for something else to eat (cows) no matter what pack it is.
Post by: Curly on September 21, 2012, 06:13:57 PM
The whole wolf management thing is so laughable..............
Post by: Bob33 on September 21, 2012, 06:28:42 PM
Post by: Johnb317 on September 21, 2012, 06:35:58 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 21, 2012, 06:47:42 PM
Director Anderson acted well, he has a lot of pressure from all sides but he made the right decision to take them all out so they don't teach other wolves to kill cattle. :tup:
Not sure if they have hunters who can get the job done, but my fingers are crossed for the McIrvins and their neighbors to rid themselves of these cattle killers.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on September 21, 2012, 06:53:37 PM
Post by: Moose22 on September 21, 2012, 07:08:19 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on September 21, 2012, 07:17:15 PM
Post by: NW-GSP on September 21, 2012, 07:20:49 PM
Post by: Bob33 on September 21, 2012, 07:57:48 PM
Post by: wraithen on September 21, 2012, 08:01:14 PM
Post by: doublenasty on September 21, 2012, 08:06:24 PM
Sent by my diesel power awesomeness!!!!
Post by: KyleMB123 on September 21, 2012, 08:11:19 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 21, 2012, 08:13:35 PM
I'm obviously pleased to hear this, but I am curious: what makes this pack different from the other packs that are here or will soon be? I cannot believe that WDFW will destroy every pack that eats livestock.
I am sure that "when" another pack starts eatng cattle it will be a whole new battle. But for now, Director Anderson should be commended for doing the right thing to help these cattlemen. In Oregon they still have not taken action against the pack there that has killed more cattle than the wedge pack.
Wolves keep on killing cattle while Salem sits on its hands and does nothing
September 20, 2012 at Life with Wolves
Wolves, in particular the Imnaha pack have been know for quiet some time as chronic livestock predators in Wallowa County. So far the Imnaha pack has had 27 confirmed cows and calves kills according to ODFW.
The wolves responsible for attacks on livestock had already been identified by ODFW as chronic livestock depredation offenders in 2011, where they killed cattle on October 8, and Oct 25. , over Thanksgiving Weekend Nov. 26, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, and Jan 14, when a total of six more cows, and Annie the mule were found killed by wolves.
On September 13, 2012, the pack was busy injuring more cattle on a USFS allotment. ODFW concluded it was a “probable” wolf attack.
The latest attacks occurred just one day later on private land, one of which ODFW concluded to be a confirmed wolf predation, the other a probable.
Below are ODFW’s official findings:
Continued:
http://www.lifewithwolves.org/home/?p=12600 (http://www.lifewithwolves.org/home/?p=12600)
Post by: washelkhunter on September 21, 2012, 08:47:34 PM
I wonder exactly how far up the chain they had to go....
Post by: TheHunt on September 21, 2012, 08:50:33 PM
Post by: CedarPants on September 21, 2012, 08:54:54 PM
I don't think they are stupid.
Now - I'd like to see proof to back up this announcement
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 21, 2012, 08:56:28 PM
Alaska allows 5 per person with a tag.
Post by: inchtowntracking on September 21, 2012, 09:13:23 PM
Now we are just going to be one less pack from reaching delisting...
First thing that popped in to my mind.
Post by: fair-chase on September 21, 2012, 09:17:08 PM
I wonder at what point they will consider this pack "eliminated"... :dunno:
:yeah: That's the million dollar question right there.
According to WDFW's own standards, they would only have to shoot one wolf to essentially eliminate a "pack". I'm sorry that I may be a bit cynical here, but until the department shows proof of action, I will continue to be highly skeptical of their motives.
Don't get me wrong, I'm elated that they (Anderson particularly) finally decided to grow a pair and persue a course of action. I'm just waiting to see the final outcome before I start passing out the praises to the department.
Post by: CedarPants on September 21, 2012, 09:52:38 PM
A very big difference
Post by: denali on September 21, 2012, 09:55:31 PM
Now whether they go through with the kill order? time will tell
Post by: Buckblaster on September 22, 2012, 08:00:32 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 22, 2012, 08:21:34 AM
They're going to try to kill the whole pack- not one animal. They want all 8-10 of them gone. The WDFW is doing all they can on this situation- it's actually a really sad deal. The cattleman are losing, the conservation caucus is losing, and hunters are losing.I wonder at what point they will consider this pack "eliminated"... :dunno:
:yeah: That's the million dollar question right there.
According to WDFW's own standards, they would only have to shoot one wolf to essentially eliminate a "pack". I'm sorry that I may be a bit cynical here, but until the department shows proof of action, I will continue to be highly skeptical of their motives.
Don't get me wrong, I'm elated that they (Anderson particularly) finally decided to grow a pair and persue a course of action. I'm just waiting to see the final outcome before I start passing out the praises to the department.
Everyone knew that wolves would eventually cause some trouble- admittidly, I am suprised it came this quickly and in such a big way. That pack has to go and I'm glad the WDFW is holding to their end of the agreement in the plan.
Post by: nwwanderer on September 22, 2012, 08:29:57 AM
Post by: Silent-one on September 22, 2012, 03:08:16 PM
The entire "WEDGE" should be a shoot on site for the next 3 years to confirm the entire removal of the pack....... According to there own plan a pack must have a successful breeding pair for three consecutive years.....
Post by: Jack Diamond on September 22, 2012, 04:00:20 PM
Post by: LRP on September 23, 2012, 02:07:02 PM
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on September 23, 2012, 02:56:53 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on September 23, 2012, 03:11:33 PM
I wonder at what point they will consider this pack "eliminated"... :dunno:
So what happens when this "transient pack" heads across the border and they don't have any to shoot for a while. When they come back are they a new pack then? Some of the area these wolves are running is nothing more than the 30 foot cut on the border for a boundary.
They couldn't eliminate them back in the late 40's with out the use of aerial gunners and Poisoning so what makes them think they can do it now? :tinfoil:
Post by: Jack Diamond on September 23, 2012, 04:51:23 PM
Better yet let the ranchers kill any wolf they see, after all they have the bait.
Trapping will also only be marginally effective, IMHO.
So perhaps the best thing to do is as has been suggested before.
Treat wolves like Coyotes east of the Cascade crest, open year round , no bag limit.and not just east of 97. I guarantee we will still have wolves , but they will not be so brazen.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 23, 2012, 05:01:20 PM
WDFW personnel used the Colville shooting range on Friday... Must be sighting in so no wolves get away!!
..............I thought the WDFW had " SNIPERS " ? I bet they are nothing more than a Kalifornia college person that doesn't know squat about hunting or marksmanship, or anything else !!! :o
Post by: boneaddict on September 23, 2012, 05:17:30 PM
Post by: Jack Diamond on September 23, 2012, 05:26:51 PM
Get real, the only way they are going to get the lot is if they us poison and we all know that isn't going to happen..
And if they did we would never know.
Post by: Special T on September 23, 2012, 05:43:02 PM
Post by: Fishnfowler on September 24, 2012, 12:19:48 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 24, 2012, 08:43:49 AM
My guess is that the WDFW will squander tens of thoudands of dollars and come up with only a few kills, the pack will get wise and stay out of sight. This is thickly vegetated country, but there's a chance this winter when there is snow and all the leaves and larch needles are off they could get most of the pack by arial gunning.
I think that if they come up short and cattle losses continue into the future that the Wildlife Commission will be faced with considering an open season in that area so that they can utilize the resources "free hunters" of the general public.
I agree with the others, without poison/trapping we are stuck with wolves forever.
Post by: Bob33 on September 24, 2012, 09:02:03 AM
My guess is that the WDFW will squander tens of thoudands of dollars and come up with only a few kills, the pack will get wise and stay out of sight. This is thickly vegetated country, but there's a chance this winter when there is snow and all the leaves and larch needles are off they could get most of the pack by arial gunning.Unfortunately, WDFW is faced with a difficult situation. If they openly support public hunting at this time they will alienate the wolf groups they are attempting to work with. At some point, they will need to decide to continue working with the pro wolf groups and lose wildlife and hunters, or ignore the pro wolf groups, anger many of the voting public, and address the problem. Sadly, by that time it will be too late for hunting to effectively address the problem.
Post by: boneaddict on September 24, 2012, 09:27:36 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 24, 2012, 09:28:31 AM
Post by: Special T on September 24, 2012, 12:33:30 PM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on September 24, 2012, 03:13:10 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on September 25, 2012, 11:54:40 AM
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/25/14093139-gray-wolf-pack-in-washington-state-will-be-shot-dead-after-preying-on-cattle?lite (http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/25/14093139-gray-wolf-pack-in-washington-state-will-be-shot-dead-after-preying-on-cattle?lite)
Post by: Killmore on September 25, 2012, 12:03:05 PM
Post by: KopperBuck on September 25, 2012, 12:20:32 PM
Post by: Stalker on September 25, 2012, 12:22:05 PM
Post by: huntnphool on September 25, 2012, 12:23:27 PM
Check out the above link and vote,,,we are in deep trouble....were do these people think there beef comes from.What do you expect from NBC, one of the most liberal news agencies out there.
Post by: Special T on September 25, 2012, 12:24:31 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 25, 2012, 12:58:17 PM
Interesting enough, WDFW existence is based on funds from hunting. No funds FROM HUNTING, then no WDFW. Not sure why they haven't quit clued in on that yet.
The problem is that I'm not willing to stop buying tags/hunting! And most of us aren't. I am trying my damndest to keep a family tradition going. My forefathers quit the cattle rustling, gambling and gun fighting long ago. I'm not willing to let hunting go. It's the only time when we get to kill something and not pay consequenses! ( not to mention that we love the meat)
-Steve
Post by: boneaddict on September 25, 2012, 01:51:13 PM
Post by: Special T on September 25, 2012, 01:51:39 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on September 25, 2012, 05:28:29 PM
Quote
Yes, at this point it's the only way to build a sustainable gray wolf population in Washington state.
Its a BS poll. Worded horribly. Most people including myself wouldn't say that killing a pack is the only way to build a sustainable wolf population.
:bash: :bash: :bash:
Post by: boneaddict on September 25, 2012, 06:20:53 PM
Post by: boneaddict on September 25, 2012, 06:23:14 PM
Two wolves from Wedge Pack killed in Northeast Washington
OLYMPIA – A marksman with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) killed two wolves in Northeast Washington today as part of an effort to eliminate a pack that has repeatedly preyed on livestock in a remote grazing area near the Canadian border.
WDFW Director Phil Anderson said teams of marksmen and wildlife biologists returned to an area known as the Wedge late last week, but had not killed any wolves after several days of around-the-clock activity. Beginning Monday, the department called in a helicopter to aid the effort, and an airborne marksman shot the two wolves early Tuesday afternoon, about seven miles south of the Canadian border.
Anderson had directed the pack’s removal last week in response to the wolves’ escalating pattern of predation on the livestock herd of the Diamond M Ranch of Stevens County. Since July, wolves are believed to have killed or injured at least 17 of the herd’s calves and cows, despite non-lethal efforts to minimize wolf conflict by the rancher and department staff.
The rate of attacks on Diamond M livestock increased even after the department killed a non-breeding member of the pack on August 7. Anderson said the wolves killed Tuesday were among six that were spotted about seven miles southeast of the ranch on the Diamond M grazing allotment. Another wolf was seen Tuesday morning at the Diamond M’s private livestock pasture.
“We decided to eliminate the Wedge Pack only after non-lethal measures were unsuccessful, and after the removal of one pack member failed to alter its behavior,” Anderson said. “We are committed to the recovery and sustainability of the gray wolf in Washington, and its numbers are increasing rapidly, but recovery won’t succeed if ranchers’ livelihoods are threatened by persistent wolf attacks on livestock.”
The Wedge Pack is one of eight confirmed and four suspected packs in the state, most of which are in Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry counties.
Anderson said a department wildlife veterinarian would perform necropsies on the wolves later this week. He said the animals’ hides and skulls eventually would be used for educational purposes.
Post by: 400out on September 25, 2012, 06:48:58 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 25, 2012, 06:52:33 PM
Post by: SkookumHntr on September 25, 2012, 06:53:35 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on September 25, 2012, 07:04:03 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 25, 2012, 07:14:00 PM
That could be on some of the Graeber range lease's.
............I was actually thinking of your yard. :tup:
Post by: Ridgeratt on September 25, 2012, 07:17:40 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 25, 2012, 07:27:37 PM
Good on the WDFW for hiring the big guns and taking care of business.
Post by: boneaddict on September 25, 2012, 07:30:22 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 25, 2012, 07:38:21 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on September 25, 2012, 07:41:10 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 25, 2012, 07:49:36 PM
there was a helo floating around this last weekend. Figured it was just scouting fires.
Glad to hear they were looking for more than fires... :chuckle:
Post by: fair-chase on September 25, 2012, 08:39:58 PM
there was a helo floating around this last weekend. Figured it was just scouting fires.
There was also one flying low and slow over the north end of the POWR on Saturday afternoon. Looked civilian (white with logo I couldn't make out) so I didn't give it a second thought. That's a loooong ways from the target area though. I wonder how many birds are in the air just doing surveillance and monitoring?
Post by: bobcat on September 25, 2012, 11:30:57 PM
No pictures, it didn't happen.
Post by: huntnphool on September 25, 2012, 11:42:36 PM
No pictures?+1, ya I believe them. :rolleyes:
No pictures, it didn't happen.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 26, 2012, 08:14:36 AM
Post by: JLS on September 26, 2012, 08:17:43 AM
...........about 7 miles south of the Canadian Border ??? To bad they didn't say exactly where so other ranchers could start reporting their calf injuries and deaths ! :bash:
Aren't the ranchers able to keep track of this stuff on their own?
Post by: Doc Sauce on September 26, 2012, 08:46:27 AM
I am actually pretty impressed with the way WDFW acted here. I don't know if I can really recall a time when local government acted on facts and principle instead of fear from a bully lobby.
Good to go WDFW!
Do you think it would have cost too much for the state to write a set of regs, get them printed, and take care of all the other logistical stuff to make a "wedge wolf unit" and allow Washington hunters to pay to remove the wolves? Seems like it would have made the state some money, but it may not have covered the cost of implementation. I guess it might not have been feasible given the time frame they wanted to work in.
Post by: Curly on September 26, 2012, 08:59:23 AM
Post by: Doc Sauce on September 26, 2012, 09:01:43 AM
Were Wolves native to this state long, long ago...
Post by: KFhunter on September 26, 2012, 09:06:41 AM
...........about 7 miles south of the Canadian Border ??? To bad they didn't say exactly where so other ranchers could start reporting their calf injuries and deaths ! :bash:
Aren't the ranchers able to keep track of this stuff on their own?
Who says they aren't?
They can't shoot the wolves themselves. WDFW is the only ones who can do that, and they need a helicopter to do it, even with a GPS collar.
Post by: boneaddict on September 26, 2012, 09:09:22 AM
Quote
Were Wolves native to this state long, long ago...
I believe a different flavor....They certainly acted differently
Post by: boneaddict on September 26, 2012, 09:11:18 AM
Quote
Do you think it would have cost too much for the state to write a set of regs, get them printed, and take care of all the other logistical stuff to make a "wedge wolf unit" and allow Washington hunters to pay to remove the wolves? Seems like it would have made the state some money, but it may not have covered the cost of implementation. I guess it might not have been feasible given the time frame they wanted to work in.
Would have been an issue in the courts. EASIER to flip to an emergency removal as written. Look how long it took to get a successful season in montana and then in Idaho even after they had it in the regs.
Post by: GrousePointer on September 26, 2012, 09:19:02 AM
Showing my ignorance now...
Were Wolves native to this state long, long ago...
Yes
Sent from my Lumia 710 using Board Express
Post by: GrousePointer on September 26, 2012, 09:20:54 AM
QuoteDo you think it would have cost too much for the state to write a set of regs, get them printed, and take care of all the other logistical stuff to make a "wedge wolf unit" and allow Washington hunters to pay to remove the wolves? Seems like it would have made the state some money, but it may not have covered the cost of implementation. I guess it might not have been feasible given the time frame they wanted to work in.
Would have been an issue in the courts. EASIER to flip to an emergency removal as written. Look how long it took to get a successful season in montana and then in Idaho even after they had it in the regs.
Exactly
Sent from my Lumia 710 using Board Express
Post by: KFhunter on September 26, 2012, 09:29:52 AM
Click this link, it goes to a pro-wolf site but they did a great job of labeling all the different types. These are all Grey Wolf (Canis Lupus).
They range in size from a small coyote, to over 220 lbs.
Pay special attention to Cascade Wolf and British Columbia wolf.
http://conservethewolves.webs.com/wolfspecies.htm (http://conservethewolves.webs.com/wolfspecies.htm)
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 26, 2012, 09:32:14 AM
Showing my ignorance now...
Were Wolves native to this state long, long ago...
Yes---not that long ago. I don't know where these wolves came from, but they may be the native animals or they may be the wolves from Idaho.
Post by: saylean on September 26, 2012, 09:37:27 AM
Of course, then they have the BC wolves right across the street basically.... :bash: :chuckle:
Good job WDFW :tup:
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 26, 2012, 09:45:21 AM