Free: Contests & Raffles.
Sorry it was Gary Chittum here is the storyhttp://www.king5.com/videos/tech/science/environment/2014/11/06/15997490/
I think this story serves a great public service...it puts to bed the notion that a hunter or any person can't defend themselves without reasonable fear of prosecution. If any person/animal threatens you with physical harm/death you are absolutely justified in defending yourself and it should be really clear that WDFW is not hell bent on finding a way to crucify you for taking such action with dangerous wildlife.The notion that all outdoorsmen or hunters should expect an encounter like this are way off base from reality. Like other dangerous wildlife, it is always possible and something to consider.
Hunting wolves should help reduce conflict with humans; however, wolf attacks are not "permitted" by anyone.
Hunter cleared for shooting at stalking wolfUPDATED 1 p.m. with quotes from WDFW enforcement chief.A hunter who took a shot at a gray wolf after being virtually surrounded by a pack in northeastern Washington on Oct. 30 has been cleared of any wrongdoing by Washington Fish and Wildlife police who investigated the incident.Wolves are protected under state endangered species rules, but exceptions are allowed for force when people or domestic animals are directly threatened.The incident took place in the territory of the Smackout Pack in Stevens County northeast of Colville off the Aladdin Road, department officials say.The hunter called officers and reported his chilling story, which is summarized in the agency's Dangerous Wildlife Incident Reports. The story was confirmed by Steve Crown, department enforcement chief. The name of the hunter is being withheld, he said.The man was hunting with several people when he saw a wolf skirting along the brush headed in the same direction he was going. According to the police report, he yelled and shot into the air and the wolf left.The hunter said he saw three additional wolves about 25 yards ahead of him, and they ran in the same direction as the first wolf. The man then heard a noise in the brush, yelled to see if it was his hunting partner and got no response. A black wolf appeared within 15-20 yards of and approached him. The man shot at the wolf. He told officers he believed he hit it, but the wolf ran off.Investigating officers said they found hair held by a small patch of hide indicating a flesh would likely be more educational than lethal to the wolf.Crown acknowledged that as wolves repopulate their former territory people who venture into the northeastern Washington woods have to be more prepared for wildlife encounters than in the past.But Crown said he’s cautious of promoting hysteria, pointing out that wolfs are naturally inquisitive.“I think there’s probably more likelihood of being injured by a moose than a pack of wolves,” he said.However, being armed with bear spray may be a wise precaution when being out in the woods where bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes roam, he said.“Carrying bear spray is a good precaution,” he said. “If you’re just out checking fences, you can jump back into your pickup if something threatening occurs. But when your venturing out to more remote areas, your options are limited. You have to be able to take care of yourself.”http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2014/nov/06/hunter-cleared-shooting-stalking-wolf/
Saddened to hear WDFW promoting bear spray when there's plenty of proof that it has very limited effect on wolves. Couple of stories come to mind, here is a good one. http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2013/jul/09/sandpoint-cyclist-survives-tense-wolf-encounter-alcan-highway/other than high velocity lead I'm not sure what would work on a pack of wolves.
