(NY) Hunter's Shot in Dark Finds Unlikely Prey (Wolf Alert)

The Times Union ^

[12GA]

It was more than two years ago that Russ Lawrence shot and killed what he thought was an unusually large coyote one moonlit night. Or perhaps some sort of wolf-dog hybrid. FEATURED ADVERTISER

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State environmental officials agreed, but then, just last month, federal wildlife agents came to his door -- and demanded that he turn over the pelt from the 85-pound male canid he had hung on his porch.

It turns out it was no coyote, or even a hybrid. Lawrence had shot a purebred gray wolf, the first wolf found in New York state since 1899.

[Pharmboy]

The wolf is so much a part of European folk-tales and culture, it would surprise me if they did not attack humans. I was wondering how different N. American wolves could be from Euro-versions?

[Stonewall Jackson]

Mountain lions were thought extinct in Kentucky since the early 1920's until my aunt and cousin hit and killed one with their car in the Daniel Boone National Forest near London.

Similarly, black bears were only thought to live in the eastern part of the state, but last summer a fisherman had one try to climb into his boat with him on Nolin Lake, which is located southwest of Louisville.

Considering the large tracts of uninhabited land in the region, it is not surprising to hear that an endangered species has managed to make a comeback in rural New York. I'd be interested in learning where this wolf came from, because when you find one needle in the haystack, the chances are that there are many more.

[Colonel Jim]

It's just a shot in the dark (Ozzy)

[Spruce]

Minnesota - 2002 Wolf Depredation Data

[muawiyah]

There are tales of wolves chasing down horsedrawn sleighs and making kills in Russia.

On the other hand, Western Europe has few wolves these days and hasn't had many for a very long time.

This site may be of benefit to some: http://www.wolftrust.org.uk/a-wkp7-explaining-attacks.html

They're just big ol' dogs not yet adapted (through careful selection for behavior and a short muzzle) for life among humans. Still, even the wild animal shows traits that attracted early man to the dog.

[lepton]

Just to be clear, my statement was intended to convey the idea that holding the threat of wildlife regulations over the heads of the people that live in that area make it very likely that any wolves that are seen die without any notification of their prescence. ...And anyone who does report a sighting has just condemned not only his own land, but those of likely thousands of his neighbors. If we want to preserve such wildlife (which I think we definitely should), we need to find ways to do so that don't result in effective seizure or forfeiture of peoples hard-earned property.

The genetic heritage is a valuable thing (not to mention wildlife is just plain cool), and the costs of its preservation should not be put on the unlucky individuals who happen to have an animal wander onto their land.

If environmentalists weren't so anti-capitalist and so Gaiaist in general, we'd have a lot more people willing to set aside areas as rare-animal habitats.

[Wyonative]

There are numerous wolf attacks on humans in North America.
Go to www.aws.vcn.com You will find several. Also, some very good info on wolves.Wyonative

[12GA]

I'm interested in hearing more about the wolf taken in this article. Range. rifle. etc. Do you recall hearing about this 85lb "coyote" when it was taken?

[12GA]

I don't know. Do they say this in Scarborough Country?

Bite me.

[Gritty]

I no longer live in that area, nor did I when this wolf was taken two years ago. I know nothing more about this story except to say I am not surprised it happened. This has some pretty remote country. My guess it was taken with a rifle as nobody hunts with shotguns unless they are after birds, and there is not a lot of bird hunting there.

There is a lot of state land in this part of the country but this was apparently taken on "private" property. It may be private property owned by such as Finch Pruyn or International Paper, both of which hold immense tracts of acreage for timber in the area but allow hunting. Or, it may just be somebody's private property. I don't know personally this fellow, Russ Lawrence, who got it. But he sounds like a native if he has shot 26 coyotes this year. He probably does it to supplement his income.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Bingo, good catch. There's almost enough of these cases now for you and Alamo-girl to start a 'The Lynx Fur Downside' archive. Almost as common now as 'hate crimes' incidents taking place whenever legislatures consider 'hate crimes' bills.

In fact I'm going to add a section on these incidents to my bookmarks. Thanks for the ping, and if you run across any more, just let me know, and I'll add it to my collection.

[ZULU]

Get some Anatolian Sheepdogs.

Do You onw livestock?

And what did I say that was so stupid, Einstein?

[ZULU]

No, pal, I'm not from the city. I shoot, hunt and enjoy the outdoors and hate cities.

[ZULU]

"Why? "

If you don't kwo, I can't explain it to you. I guess your idea of a beautiful place to live is a land full of frams, malls, superhighways, McDonald's and movie theaters with the only wildlife being stray pigeons, geese, a few der and what goes on in the local pub.

If I could turn the clock back to 1776 I would.

"Also, how do you keep them there?"

Controlled hunting - of the wolves and mainly the deer herds which support them.

"They just might think your neighborhood is a neat wolf version of a cafeteria."
I doubt it, I don't raise livestock, and if I did I'd learn to use a rifle and get some good herd dogs like Anatolin Sheepdogs, etc.

"They're endangered, don't you know."

If thye reached the point where they were in everybody's back yard, they would be endangered would they?

[ZULU]

Golden retrievers are hardly gaurd dogs. Get a couple of Anatolian Sheepdogs ot a Komondor or any of a hald dozen or more breeds designed to handle wolves and coyotes. They'ss protect your bird dogs.

And if a coyote or anything else is harassing you or your dogs you are certainly justified in shooting them.

[hosepipe]

Next newspaper ad:
Known New York State Wolf Pack...
Mysterious disappears... or moves to Canada, maybe...
No one really knows.... what happened to them..

[ZULU]

Almost thought you were a Muslim there.

Anybody who goes around shooting dogs for no reason has some serious mental problems. I suggest you get help quick.

[ZULU]

You're right I'm not. And if I were, I'd take adequate measures to protect my stock from anything - like guard dogs and rifles. On the other hand if I was sucking off the public tit by grazing my stock on public lands and their wolves around I suppose I'd have myself to blame wouldn't I?

[ZULU]

I guess we disagree.

You must be a stockman. If the dogs are harassing your livestock, I guess your in your rights shooting them. If they are not wild dogs, perhaps you should pay their owners a little visit.

[bvw]

I agree. This *owner* and proprieter of the *chartered* Federal Government says "give the man HIS pelt back!". There is NO power granted anyone in the Federal Charter -- short of war -- that alows Federal agents to take it.