Rancher Accuses Federal Wolf Agent of Trespassing

Casper Star Tribune ^ | 02/28/04 | AP

[Probus]

Rancher accuses federal wolf agent of trespassing

By the Associated Press with staff reports Saturday, February 28, 2004

CODY -- A western Wyoming ranch is accusing the federal government of trespassing earlier this month to collar four wolves.

Larsen Ranch Co. owners are considering asking Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric to file criminal trespass charges against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the alleged violation.

"It's aggravating and upsetting," said Randy Kruger, a ranch stockholder and employee. "It's causing me loss of sleep. It's a matter of terrorism."

He made his comments to the Cody Enterprise.

Wolf biologist Mike Jimenez did not have permission to be on the ranch when he was discovered Feb. 14 with four tranquilized wolves, Kruger said.

Jimenez did not immediately return a phone call Friday seeking comment. Agency representatives, however, have called rancher Ralph Larsen to apologize, Kruger said.

According to Kruger, he saw Jimenez and Cody resident Wes Livingston with the wolves while driving across a pasture.

"They acted guilty, in my view," he said. "They said they were trying to get the wolves collared. They were on our deeded land and in our calving pasture."

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Fleming said in an interview from Washington that the agency could not comment about the Jimenez incident at this time because of the legal ramifications.

"We're aware of the issue and are looking at all the details," Fleming said. "Our folks are looking at it."

It remains unclear whether the wolves were found on the land or if they were transported there.

The men told Kruger they had trapped and collared the wolves "in the area." The animals were beginning to stir when Kruger drove off.

"They were nice, well-fed looking wolves, right in their prime," he said.

Kruger presented the information Wednesday to Commissioner Tim Morrison, who planned to turn the case over to Skoric.

"We're pushing them to file charges," said Joe Tilden of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. "Where does the federal government have the right to land on private property?"

AP-WS-02-27-04 1625EST

[Probus]

Another example of do as I say, not as I do!

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[sasquatch]

S.S.S.

[ClintonBeGone]

What does SSS mean?

[writer33]

Excellent example of just that.

[PAR35]

"It's aggravating and upsetting," said Randy Kruger, a ranch stockholder and employee. "It's causing me loss of sleep. It's a matter of terrorism."

If he gets that upset over seeing a stranger on his land, sounds like he is hiding something.

[JRandomFreeper]

sounds like he is hiding something.

Maybe he's just trying to protect something. Like his cattle.

/john

[JRandomFreeper]

sounds like he is hiding something.

Maybe he's just trying to protect something. Like his cattle.

/john

[agitator]

ping

[SolutionsOnly]

sounds like a juvenile pissing contest...

[Vigilanteman]

Better to lose sleep than lose sheep. There are a lot of relavant facts missing in this story. The landowner is identivied as a "ranch stockholder," not a rancher. He is getting upset over a fed entering his land to tranquilize wolves. It is not clear what the wolves are doing on the land or why they are being tranquilized. My guess is genuine sheep ranchers in the neighborhood have lost sheep and have asked the agents to track wolves which may be responsible.

Some of the environmental loonly laws protect wolves and forbid poisoning the predatory canines. Meanwhile, rich environmental wackos have bought ranches in the West with the intention of raising predators like wolves and coyotes to drive the real ranchers off their land. Believe it or not, there are actually decent people who work for federal agencies and try to protect the people they serve. Others, of course, are determined to depopulate Rural America or at least poverty pimp it.

[PAR35]

Maybe he's just trying to protect something. Like his cattle.

No, because he would be angry in that case. This guy sounds like he is having an attack of the "vapors".

[Probus]

What has happened is the wolves, supposed to stay in Yellowstone park, were not made aware of their boundaries.
They are so prolific, they have been seen happily ripping tails and udders off of cattle almost to the Colorado state line.

The Feds refuse to allow them to be delisted (like the grizzly) and they are running rampant, killing for fun and infuriating ranchers and citizens alike. The NYers think its great, however. That's why WE have them, cause the PUBLIC wanted to see them reintroduced (somewhere where there are not real people, like here in WY, I guess).

Now, the feds are trying to keep track of their out of control experiment.

[Judith Anne]

From the article: It remains unclear whether the wolves were found on the land or if they were transported there.

And, from the article, in a calving pasture.

I'd like more information...

[Probus]

Most likely, not available from the USFWS, EVER!

[JRandomFreeper]

It's PC talk. People aren't allowed to be angry anymore, they can only be upset.

It doesn't matter what he sounds like or acts like. The government is alleged to have trespassed.

Focusing on the reaction of the alleged victim is akin to blaming the victim. Was the USF&W officer trespassing? That is the question.

And if so, why is an agent of the federal government trespassing? And what do the people in a republic need to do about it?

/john

[coloradan]

If he gets that upset over seeing a stranger on his land, sounds like he is hiding something.

Why do so many people confuse the desire for privacy and the attempt to conceal criminal behavior? Do you use envelopes when you send letters? You hiding something?

[mercy]

We need to read between the lines here. These fed scum were transporting wolves to this guys land. Figured his calving pasture would make a good place for them to get established. Shoot, shovel and shutup is what I say.