Post by: actionshooter on March 29, 2008, 08:49:45 AM
BOISE, Idaho - Good news for gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains: They no longer need federal protection. The bad news for the animals? Plans are already in the works to hunt them.
Federal Endangered Species Act protection of the wolves was lifted Friday in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, giving those states management of the estimated 1,500 gray wolves in the region.
Even though environmentalists plan to sue the federal government next month to restore wolf protections, hunts are already being scheduled by state wildlife agencies to reduce the wolf population to between 900 and 1,250.
Idaho hunters will be allowed to kill between 100-300 of the animals this fall under a plan approved by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. The hunts are partly in response to increasing numbers of livestock being killed as the predators' population has grown.
"We manage big game for a living, we're good at it," said Steve Nadeau, who oversees large carnivores for the Idaho Fish and Game Department. "The world is watching and we know it."
Fish and Game estimates Idaho now has 800 gray wolves. Should the number of breeding pairs in Idaho fall below a target number, the animals could be brought back under federal protection.
After a series of public shouting matches between wolf advocates and opponents, comments from Idaho Department Fish and Game officials on Friday seemed largely designed to reassure both ends of the debate.
Cal Groen, director of the department, told reporters that his agency has already proven its ability to recover and maintain Idaho wolf populations. "We've exceeded all the goals the federal government set," Groen said.
But Doug Honnold, a managing attorney for the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice, disagrees. Honnold said the wolf populations won't be fully recovered in Idaho and the northern Rockies until the animals number between 2,000 and 3,000.
Earthjustice, which represents 12 local and national environmental groups, plans to sue the federal government next month to continue wolf protections.
All three state plans to manage the wolves call for a reduction in their numbers, which will eventually lead to weaker breeding, Honnold said in a telephone interview from Bozeman, Mont.
"We think that would be a disaster," he said. "We've spent a lot of time, money and effort to promote wolf recovery."
Gray wolves were listed as endangered in 1973 after being hunted into near extinction, but the population has rebounded dramatically after restoration efforts began in 1995. The wolves were recently de-listed in the western Great Lakes, while the wolf population in the Southwest remains endangered.
Wildlife biologists estimate there are now 41 breeding pairs in Idaho, in 72 packs. If that number falls below 10 breeding pairs, or 15 during a three-year period, the wolves could be brought back under federal protection.
On Friday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed a bill to allow ranchers, outfitters and pet owners to kill wolves harassing livestock. The law gives owners up to 72 hours to report wolves they've killed after catching them annoying, disturbing or stalking animals or livestock.
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On the Net:
Idaho Fish and Game Commission: http://fishandgame
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 08:56:31 AM
Post by: actionshooter on March 29, 2008, 08:58:25 AM
Post by: Red Dawg on March 29, 2008, 08:58:54 AM
Post by: actionshooter on March 29, 2008, 09:04:19 AM
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 09:20:04 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on March 29, 2008, 09:27:37 AM
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 09:41:54 AM
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 09:42:52 AM
Post by: Coasthunterjay on March 29, 2008, 09:49:24 AM
If they want to control it, why donbt you make 50 to 100 tags depending on what eachyears outcome is for harvest and have a woldf fund that all the money goes into....If there is a large number of wolfs one year then you give a high number of tags. If it is a bad year for the wolves, then you set it small. or not at all......
I am sure people would love to put in an extra amount of money to even try to hunt a wolf.........
I know i havent ever sen an actual wolf because i hunt far to south of the boarder but shoot. Get me a wolf tag and ill hunt em. And that would be revinue for the state. and they would still be able to control how many wolves are being shot each year so that they dont get to a high extreme or a low extreme............
My .02cents
Post by: Rhinoron247 on March 29, 2008, 09:57:01 AM
Comes complete with the following:
1 Set of Real Tree "Sheep Skin" camo chaps
1 bottle of Tinks 68 Cover Scent in "Lamb Chop"
1 Montana Decoys inflatable "Sheep stuck in a fence" Decoy (OK I might be just replacing the one i already have"
I have also renewed my subscription to the popular "Idaho Ranchers Guide to Wolf Rehabilitation" it called
Shoot, shovel and Shut up.
OK, I'm ready where do I get a tag? :tup:
Post by: WDFW-SUX on March 29, 2008, 09:58:23 AM
Quote
On Friday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed a bill to allow ranchers, outfitters and pet owners to kill wolves harassing livestock. The law gives owners up to 72 hours to report wolves they've killed after catching them annoying, disturbing or stalking animals or livestock.
No real need to apply for a permit.............. :chuckle:
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 10:06:57 AM
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 10:07:51 AM
Post by: DeKuma on March 29, 2008, 10:08:59 AM
That's it. >:( I'm heading the Cabelas to pick up the new NW Hunting kit called the "Wolf Pack".
Comes complete with the following:
1 Set of Real Tree "Sheep Skin" camo chaps
1 bottle of Tinks 68 Cover Scent in "Lamb Chop"
1 Montana Decoys inflatable "Sheep stuck in a fence" Decoy (OK I might be just replaying the one i already have"
I have also renewed my subscription to the popular "Idaho Ranchers Guide to Wolf Rehabilitation" it called
Shoot, shovel and Shut up.
OK, I'm ready where do I get a tag? :tup:
That was Damn Funny right there, I don't care who ya are!
Post by: Wea300mag on March 29, 2008, 10:39:57 AM
Post by: Alchase on March 29, 2008, 12:31:56 PM
Post by: M_ray on March 29, 2008, 01:39:32 PM
As a public service I am providing a link to the PETA membership application for anyone who thinks the cute little wolves shouldn't be hunted. Thanks :) https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=R08M001Z&ask4=--25-35-50-100-o:tree1: Krusty is allready a member thanks though!
Post by: boneaddict on March 29, 2008, 01:42:40 PM
Post by: actionshooter on March 29, 2008, 01:50:58 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on March 29, 2008, 01:58:51 PM
As a public service I am providing a link to the PETA membership application for anyone who thinks the cute little wolves shouldn't be hunted. Thanks :) https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=R08M001Z&ask4=--25-35-50-100-o:tree1: Krusty is allready a member thanks though!
:chuckle:
Post by: coonhunter on March 30, 2008, 09:37:22 PM
:IBCOOL:
coonhunter :)
Post by: wastickslinger on March 30, 2008, 11:22:34 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 31, 2008, 05:52:30 AM
I'm just glad we all see the same when viewing wolves. :chuckle:
Yea see the same thru our scopes!!
Post by: archery288 on March 31, 2008, 06:14:20 AM
I'm just glad we all see the same when viewing wolves. :chuckle:
Yea see the same thru our scopes!!
haha!!! :chuckle: So when are we all going?!
Post by: boneaddict on March 31, 2008, 06:30:21 AM
Post by: wastickslinger on March 31, 2008, 07:03:23 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on March 31, 2008, 08:12:02 AM
Post by: Ray on March 31, 2008, 08:21:20 AM
Quote
I mean like dangle someone little yorkie from a tree or something:chuckle:
Post by: Dman on March 31, 2008, 08:32:50 AM
If washington was half as money hungry as I think they are, we should be seeing another OIL tag drawing option. Soon.
Too bad the tag money will go to something like buying Mrs. "G" a new pair of silk socks.... :puke:
Post by: boneaddict on March 31, 2008, 09:00:23 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on March 31, 2008, 09:08:13 AM
No offense met towards the resident attorney.
Post by: popeshawnpaul on March 31, 2008, 09:28:28 AM
Shawn