Hungry Mich. Wolves Turning on Each Other

Associated Press ^ | Mar 11 | JOHN FLESHER

[george76]

Here is the math question.

The moose population at 450 this winter...Only four years ago, they totaled 1,100.

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If the wolves killed 650 moose in the last four years, how many moose will there be in three years ?

[ColdSteelTalon]

It will be a moose defecit..

[Beagle8U]

LOL...I know what you mean about the fishing.

Isle Royale has some great fishing for coaster brook trout, and lake trout just off shore, but the eco-twits want to regulate that too.

Its one of the few places with brookies up to 5#.

[LibWhacker]

The moose population at 450 this winter... Presently, there are about 15 moose for every wolf.

So we're talking about what, 30 wolves?... Three or four wolf packs?

Do they want a sustainable population of wolves in the park or not? Jesus Christ, the local SPCA is taking care of more animals than that.

Seems there are three alternative: Feed the damned things until winter's over (a short-term solution at best), cull their numbers (either naturally through starvation, cannibalism and disease OR by permitting a few lucky hunters to each take a wolf), relocate some wolves.

So simple. Why is this "problem" worthy of an entire AP article when there are such simple, obvious, low-cost, administrative fixes available? What's next?: Should Marcie, the secretary, put her inbox on the left side of her desk, or on the right side?

[Issaquahking]

See post #27 for some instruction.

[george76]

You are good at math.

Some people are still trying to figure it out.

[thackney]

Are the aerial wolf shootings restarted ?

I read that the ALF people stopped it.

It was stopped on a technicallity. The game board fixed the problem and it was restarted.

Game board to take up predator control issues

A recent court decision demonstrated what kind of information the department must provide to justify predator control, Harms said. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Sharon Gleason halted the state's predator control program almost two months ago due to insufficient data.

The game board held an emergency meeting a few days later and made the necessary changes to continue wolf control in those areas, which were upheld by Gleason. In the process, the department recognized what information needed to be included in future proposals and how it must be presented.

"The amount of information necessary to put a control program into effect is substantial," said Harms. "We have to write much longer reports than we used to and we just ran out of time. We have all the information; it's just a matter of writing it."

...

In the past three years, the game board has established aerial wolf control programs in five parts of the state, each of which is considered an "intensive management unit" because they have historically been important food sources for residents.

Aerial gunners have killed more than 500 wolves in the past three years and state wildlife biologists say they are beginning to see indications that moose and caribou populations are rebounding in some areas. As a result, residents from several other regions want similar treatment.

Advisory committees from Delta Junction, the Central Kuskokwim, McGrath and the Yukon Flats all have submitted proposals to implement or expand wolf control programs in their areas.

"Any time people are seeing success from predator control programs they say, 'I wouldn't mind having that in my yard,'" said Harms. "Whether it's a realistic tool that would benefit them isn't always the case."

[george76]

Thanks for the information.

Anytime we can use science and logic in the decision making process, the better.

The DUmmies get very emotional, but they can not support their rantings with real science.

This predator management should help balance the moose and other populations. Which should also help the families who depend on hunting for part of their food needs.

[thackney]

The Alaska Constitution requires fish and wildlife resources be managed for common use on the sustained yield principle, for the maximum benefit of all the people.

[george76]

It is good that Alaska is using some common sense.

Maybe more of the lower 48 can learn.

It is interesting that states like Vermont are losing their young people because of high taxes, high government regulations, stupid judges, and hateful government policies.

As their schools lay off union teachers and their populations get older, maybe some reality might sink in.

I doubt it, but it is nice to see some hope in Alaska.

[Domestic Church]

"If the wolves killed 650 moose in the last four years, how many moose will there be in three years ?"

A biologist would take it one step further...how many wolves will there be in four years?

If it's hurting livestock and community then intervene and collect some pelts, if not, don't mess with mother nature.

[Domestic Church]

" Why is this "problem" worthy of an entire AP article when there are such simple, obvious, low-cost, administrative fixes available?"

Follow the $$$$$$ trail....someone wants to justify a grant.

[ExpatCanuck]

I meant the deer going to where the wolves are, not the other way around.

[TheSpottedOwl]

I've heard of powderized urine(and other scent products), but coyotes live here already. I've seen them stroll right past my window. My bf went hiking a couple of months ago, and spotted a big cat. Doesn't know if it was a mountain lion, and the ground was too hard to see tracks. Our land lady says the bunnies are literally breeding all over her back 40. She lives around the corner from us. We're also going to see a huge explosion in the quail population in a couple of months. Heehee, should I email Dick Cheney????

[TheSpottedOwl]

The problem with shooting the wolves is that the crackpots will rise up and irritate us. Second problem is that they were almost wiped out once, and are just starting to come back. I really don't care if they attack each other, I'm more worried about the moose population.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Wolves serve a purpose. That is why God put them on this earth. The micromanagement of certain species is screwing everything up. Where I live, we are supposed to bow down before the kangaroo rat and the desert tortoise. I don't agree. The mere presence of spotted owls ruined the logging industry in the Northwest.

I don't hunt, mainly because I can't hit the red side of a barn. I don't know all the logistics of bag limits, etc. Eco-terrorists are just using their so called "caring" for other purposes, but I think we all know that.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Early pioneers knew what they were doing by destroying every wolf they came across. They had enough of being intimidated by wolves (and those that used this to their advantage) in the old country.

Some of the replies I've received on this thread, makes me think that y'all think I'm some kind of goofball animal rights activist. I'm not. I just wonder why we have to exterminate a species? Look what happened to the buffalo. The breed is starting to make a good comeback after a century of slaughter.

Granted, buffalo are not wolves, but when do we stop? I do care about the environment, but it pisses me off when commies preempt the issue to promote their agenda. It also pisses me off when people say "just shoot them".

[TheSpottedOwl]

Thank you for a most rational reply.

Nature works in her own way, and there is gonna be lots of fat coyotes in a couple of months. Yuck...

[Marine_Uncle]

" No point really as nature will take it's course and further strengthen the packs."
And then the packs regulate themselves to a degree. Can't please everyone all the time.

[Beagle8U]

"If it's hurting livestock and community then intervene and collect some pelts, if not, don't mess with mother nature."

Isle Royale isn't a natural environment. People are part of nature also, and throughout time have been the #1 predator.

Isle Royale allows no hunting or fishing and is little more than a very expensive zoo.

Few wildlife biologists would argue the fact that Sportsmen pay the lions share of all wildlife management thru taxes and fees.
Without Sportsmen and the money they pay to pursue their sports, there would be precious little wildlife for non-hunters to enjoy.

When someone goes to state land to pick berries and mushrooms, or to bird watch, they should thank sportsmen for providing the funding for the land.

If you launch your boat at the local lake for a little water skiing you can be pretty sure that fishermen paid most of the costs for that boat ramp being there.