Close encounter raises concerns about wolves

Idaho Press-Tribune ^ | 6/4/06 | Scott Richards

[Old_Mil]

The folks in Yellowstone might beg to differ with you, actually. Without the wolves, the Yellowstone elk have been overpopulating the place. Ecosystems work best with all the natural players.

We can easily step in and allow elk hunting to take up the slack. It's disingenuous that environmentalists call for the introduction of dangerous predators while simultaneously attempting to restrict predation by man.

And it's funny when you look at the statistics kept by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Do you know what the number one predator of livestock is? The answer, in fact is the coyote. And the #2 predator? I don't think you know the answer to this one because it's actually our beloved domestic doggy. Dogs, in fact, killed more livestock in 2005 than all other predators — cougars, wolves, bobcats and bears — combined.

So..........before you continue to pick on the big, bad wolf, your Fido should be eradicated first by your own logic.

You've totally misunderstood my logic. Throughout the history of our species, dogs have been of great service to mankind. They are a species worthy of our protection and respect. So if they are responsible for predation - too bad. Wolves have been enemies to us and the creatures who are our allies. I hope you see now - the intent is to move from a view of ecology that is centered around random evolution to one that serves the needs of mankind best.

Finally, regarding predation: we are the most efficient predators on the planet, as illustrated by our ability to hunt creatures into extinction. There is no level of population control that can be exerted over herd-type animals by natural predation that could not be more efficiently and quickly achieved by lifting restrictions on human hunting.

Plus, it makes for safer jogging in California.

[george76]

"Ever wonder why the fools that want to bring back the wolves either don`t work for a living or live far away ?"

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Smart alecky comments are so thought-filled and enlightening.
/sarc

[elkfersupper]

Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up!

And surreptitiously tie the radio collar to the handiest government vehicle.

[Thombo2]

"I'm not a liberal...i'd like to suggest a correction...flame away."No flame,and i don't think your a liberal.I believe the article said wolves had been seen in populated areas.That's not good for people or wolves.Remember,wolves are formidable predators and very(!)opprotunistic.If they lose their fear of humans that could be a problem.Unfortunately wild animals(sometimes)forget the boundries and(like it or not)have to be dealt with.Remember the women killed by gators here in Fl?

[cowboyway]

we found they had a mature sow and a 2-year-old cub.

Ok. So a mature grizzly sow can weigh up to 500 lbs. That's still a big bear. And to have a grizzly sow treed with her cub............

But your points certainly are BS.

Why am I arguing with you? My points are no more BS than this story.

And I know plenty of folks that leave their weapons in the car when they are out in the woods. They just don't want to carry them.

In addition, anybody that goes into the woods where they know dangerous game lives and is unprepared deserves what they get.

Of course, I guess we could consider these ignorant bastards as 'victims' of Big Wildlife.

[Double Tap]

In addition, anybody that goes into the woods where they know dangerous game lives and is unprepared deserves what they get.

That is about the only point that I agree with you on.

If you think the story is BS, prove it. Call up the Idaho Fish and Game Dept. and get the truth. He clearly states he reported it to them.

[cowboyway]

Call up the Idaho Fish and Game Dept. and get the truth. He clearly states he reported it to them.

So, if I call the FAA and find out that they have received Unidentified Flying Object reports, this will confirm the existence of little green men?

[Double Tap]

You can't be that dumb. He clearly states that a government trapper went out with him. Trappers name was Justin if I remember from the article.

Get cracking on that investigation of yours. Otherwise, STFU.

[cowboyway]

He clearly states that a government trapper went out with him. Trappers name was Justin if I remember from the article.

So what? Back in the 50's the government had an 'official' representative that used to go to where UFO sightings were reported.

And cops routinely investigate bogus reports every day.

So you STFU.

[freepertoo]

I have a cat I dearly love that I cannot keep inside no matter how hard I try. I have to have a dog run attached to the house for my Australian Cattle Dog (we never could house break her!), and I have added a roof to it to keep the cats in. The darned cat will ALWAYS find a way out! I have been able to catch him at it a few times, but usually he just sorta gets OUT. I am terrified of the things that might get him, it scares me to death! I don't think people take the term "Wild" life seriously enough.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Wolves wandering into suburbs is bad for everyone. Yet the wolves deserve to live. They are God's creatures, too.

Regardless, I think this nation's efforts and priorities ought to be focused on training and supplying our formidable military, intelligence and national security. Without an ongoing prioritization of securing our democratic and free society, we can forget the environment, the wolves and everything else.

I think Republicans need to remember to be good shepherds to all off God's creation as best we can. I don't think it is a good thing to leave our children a nation where they will only be able to see a wolf on a computer screen.

[Double Tap]

Lame fella. Very lame.

Go back and read the article. Justin, the alleged government trapper, was with him when he buried one of his dogs. And saw the wolf scat. So we are not talking about a UFO sighting. We are talking about verifiable evidence.

Now get moving on that investigation on this BS story, since you seem so certain.

[PoorMuttly]

Yes, the elk bog down....in the bog...and the doggies pounce real good. Way of the wild, and why it took us 200 years to push 'em back up north. When the slickers and suburbanites get themselves and their children slowly disembowled...perhaps a little ancient wisdom will get accepted, even by them.

Or not.

10 years ago I saw a coyote in Central Park, N.Y.C., and before that, one in a rubble field in the Bronx. When they meet Fluffy the pitbull, little Cujo should be quite an entertaining handful for one and all...'specially in the schoolyards.

The adventure continues.

[cowboyway]

It looked like it was too big to be a coyote. Mind you I was doing over 70 mph in my Miata, but when I rode by him his chest was above my passenger side window

I'm pretty sure that we don't have wild wolves in SC. We've got plenty of coyotes, though. And at 70mph in Miata a coyote would look large and wolfish.

[IdahoSportswoman]

Sure, the wolves were hunting too, but the problem here is this type of wolf doesn't belong in this ecosystem- the wolf that was native to Idaho didn't behave this way. These Canadian Gray Wolves were INtroduced, not RE introduced. This is the problem: the animal is being exploited by the fools who brought them here!

[cowboyway]

These Canadian Gray Wolves were INtroduced, not RE introduced.

One could argue that Europeans were INtroduced to America.

Besides that, to my knowledge, animals aren't bound by geo-political boundaries. As far as I know, animals freely move from county to county, state to state, country to country, even continent to continent without ever asking us if it's alright.

[Shyla]

It was probably a cross between a coyote and a wolf-hybrid, if not a wolf, though more than likely a hybrid. They get the long legs from the cross. I do have two pure wolves and one hybrid. I trust the wolves 95% and the hybrid.....none. That is not a good cross of animals. I would never suggest that to anyone. At the same time, having two wolves is quite a responsibility. I have had them for three years now and have no clue what a vacation is. I do take them camping (collar and double harness) and we do enjoy doing that.

But back to the point. There are many people that think a wolf cross is "cool" - some are quite wonderful, but many are way unpredictable. Thus, many of these animals are let loose and are crossing with the coyote making a new "breed". Looks like a coyote but with very long legs/