WDFW Claims cow was not wolf kill

[bobcat]

How are they not being honest about this? The rancher was even present when they dissected the cow, to determine if it was a wolf kill.

State biologists and enforcement officers dissected the dead cow in Pitcher Canyon on Tuesday with the ranchers present. Monda said they did not find any puncture holes, crushing bruises or internal bleeding that are characteristic of wolves or other predators having killed an animal.

“Something did eat the cow, but all evidence indicated that it was fed upon after it died,” he said. “But there was no sign of a scuffle, no torn-up ground, no blood. There was absolutely no sign that it was killed by a predator of any kind.”

[cougarbart]

well its salesman talk! it didn't die from wolves biting it,  but if wolves ran the elk in the pond or chased the cow til it fell and broke a leg it wouldn't have the trauma from a normal wolf attack!  grandpa had same thing ran a cow in to a mud pond and died wolves ate it and said they just feed off the carcass! well first cow they lost from a mud pond in 100 years of running cattle there and wolves happened up on it to eat!lmao

[bigtex]

What- are we wanting for these to be wolf kills? You know, animals do die in the winter, and especially at the very end of winter, AND especially older animals, like big bull elk. Is it so hard to imagine that wolves might feed on winter kill? It's a lot easier for them than having to chase one down and kill it.

Sorry, but I think I'd trust a biologist's opinion over anyone else on whether these animals were killed by wolves or not. And I would think this would be good news. These are animals that would have died anyway, the wolves are feeding on them, which means the wolves don't need to kill additional animals.

 
Are we getting to the point where every dead livestock animal is now a wolf kill?

What ever happened to cougar kills? Llamas were killed by coyotes a couple weeks ago.

[Curly]

Was the cow in the middle of birthing the calf?


The BS meter is definitely on high alert.

 

So, even if the WDFW is right in thinking the wolves did not kill the cow, wouldn't the wolves now have a taste for beef and go out looking for beef now? 

[vandeman17]

It's a coincidence that wolves would be in an area that is a major wintering area for elk? A place where elk die of natural causes?

Well the only other way I think it could happen without people having pictures and encounters is if the wolves just came here. If they did just move to the area, how would they know it is a major wintering area for elk? Isn't that learned over the years? I am not trying to argue with you and I like how you keep an open mind. I am just a believer that they tend to error on the side of caution and try not to alert people to what is actually going on even though we all know better. 

[jackelope]

What- are we wanting for these to be wolf kills? You know, animals do die in the winter, and especially at the very end of winter, AND especially older animals, like big bull elk. Is it so hard to imagine that wolves might feed on winter kill? It's a lot easier for them than having to chase one down and kill it.

Sorry, but I think I'd trust a biologist's opinion over anyone else on whether these animals were killed by wolves or not. And I would think this would be good news. These are animals that would have died anyway, the wolves are feeding on them, which means the wolves don't need to kill additional animals.

 
Are we getting to the point where every dead livestock animal is now a wolf kill?

What ever happened to cougar kills? Llamas were killed by coyotes a couple weeks ago.

My mother in law's llama killed a couple coyotes last year. Maybe they're even now.
 

[bobcat]

So, even if the WDFW is right in thinking the wolves did not kill the cow, wouldn't the wolves now have a taste for beef and go out looking for beef now?

Just my opinion, but I think wolves are smart enough to know when they see cattle, even if it's the first time they've ever seen them, that they know it's food.

I think when they are hungry, and there are cattle available, they're going to eat them.

I don't know why a wolf eating a cow is seen as something extraordinary. It's going to happen. That's what wolves do. They have to kill stuff so they can eat. Just like us.

[huntnphool]

They are missing 10 calves as well, must be a pretty good size cat up there.

[jrebel]

I have to agree.....seems a little suspicious that three animals happend to die in the same very close vicinity, in the same time period and with wolves present.  Yeah, it could have been cougars....and it could have been T-rex as well that killed these animals.  Let's get real and smell what we are shoveling folks......Three large animals just happen to die of natural causes at the same time in the same area  .  I think we need the biologist check the vegetation around there...it is obviously high is saturated fat causing these animals to suffer sudden cardiac arrest due to hyperlipidemia    Bahhhh hahahahaha...

Bobcat

I think your theory could be a possibility if we actually had a hard winter and these animals didn't have feed or cover.  Fact of the matter is...this winter (in this range) was not that bad.  Very little snow and lots of feed where these three animals decided to drop dead of natural causes.   

[KFhunter]

What- are we wanting for these to be wolf kills? You know, animals do die in the winter, and especially at the very end of winter, AND especially older animals, like big bull elk. Is it so hard to imagine that wolves might feed on winter kill? It's a lot easier for them than having to chase one down and kill it.

Sorry, but I think I'd trust a biologist's opinion over anyone else on whether these animals were killed by wolves or not. And I would think this would be good news. These are animals that would have died anyway, the wolves are feeding on them, which means the wolves don't need to kill additional animals.

 
Are we getting to the point where every dead livestock animal is now a wolf kill?

What ever happened to cougar kills? Llamas were killed by coyotes a couple weeks ago.

Bobcat is correct, these animals would have died anyways,  eventually 

Wolves are going to be the ruin of WDFW bigtex.  The mistrust is growing exponentially.

[Curly]

All I'm getting at is that they took out the Wedge pack (most of it anyway) because they "had gotten a taste for cattle" and they figured they wouldn't stop until they had killed a crap load more cattle.  So, even if these wolves didn't kill the cow, they will be killing other cattle in the near future.  It would be nice if the wolves could be shot since they are right there in the open for a good dose of lead.........(instead of waiting until they kill a bunch of cattle [and deer/elk] and then the state will have to spend another $77,000 in aerial gunning to take them out).

[jackelope]

Anybody know the rancher? Could someone find out what his thoughts were on the autopsy? Maybe the results on the cow are legit. Maybe the cow died while calving.  Complications happen quite often when nobody's around to help.
Dunno. I imagine someone on here knows the rancher. That would be a good piece of info.
Just a thought.

[pianoman9701]

What a shocker.    Oh, yeah, no it's not. 

[huntnphool]

All I'm getting at is that they took out the Wedge pack (most of it anyway) because they "had gotten a taste for cattle" and they figured they wouldn't stop until they had killed a crap load of cattle.  So, even if these wolves didn't kill the cow, they will be killing other cattle in the near future.  It would be nice if the wolves could be shot since they are right there in the open for a good dose of lead.........(instead of waiting until they kill a bunch of cattle [and deer/elk] and then the state will have to spend another $77,000 in aerial gunning to take them out).

Isnt it amazing that the alpha female was smart/elusive enough to avoid the hired gun.

[bobcat]

Would you guys be happier if the WDFW did their investigation, concluded they were not wolf kills, and then lied and said yes they were wolf kills? Because it sounds like that's what you guys want.

I'm sure they don't know with 100% certainty that the wolves didn't somehow cause the death of these elk, and the beef cow. But what are they supposed to do? They came up with their best "guess" and people complain.

Surely if they are right and these aren't wolf kills, there WILL BE elk and probably cattle killed by these wolves in the Colockum. That is to be expected.