Ranchers say weights have declined since wolf reintroduction ( Middle class under attack )

Associated Press ^ | May 5, 2006 | Jim Knight

[george76]

Cattle ranchers in the Paradise Valley say shipping weights have declined since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995.

They say their cattle stay close to gates instead of grazing entire pastures.

Wary animals tend to eat less than relaxed animals.

[george76]

Six county commissioners from two states agreed Tuesday that counties in the West should consider suing the federal government about wolves.

"If the state's not going to sue, maybe it's time for us to," Park County Commission Chairman Tim Morrison

• Wolves are killing livestock and depleting elk herds, while making few inroads on bison.
• Some marginal ranching operations are selling their land as subdivisions because of costly predation.
• Ranchers are using fewer acres for grazing, keeping domestic animals closer to home but losing needed grasslands.
• Wolf concerns increasingly are "locking up" public lands.
• There are so many wolves in this area already that it may be too late to manage them.
• The federal government was not truthful when it proposed and actually carried out wolf reintroduction.

[Wizy]

I understand the fact that stressed animals are not as productive, yet what is the solution? Do we re-irradicate them? That caused far more problems historically that effect far more people then a couple of "light" cattle.

[tomzz]

Somebody needs to round up twenty or thirty canadian wolves, stuff em in a truck and turn em loose in Central Park.

[nightdriver]

"Do we re-irradicate them?"

Yes.

[george76]

Wolves are still a Federally protected animal.

Not only can hunters not hunt inside of the park, hunters are controlled by federal US fish and wildlife outside of the park.

The state of Wyoming is not allowed to make hunting rules in the state lands of Wyoming concerning wolves.

If a rancher or farmer shoots a wolf in self defense of himself, his family, or his livehood...then he has to deal with the federal government.

Going from one extreme to the opposite extreme is not the point. "Do we re-irradicate them?"

Rather, the Federal government should let the state control the states lands.

[george76]

No Amnesty for the Illegals !

Send the foreign wolves to DC or NYC.

It seems that they want them.

We do not.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

re-irradicate

Trouble with phonics? Irradiate -- yes. Eradicate -- yes. Irradicate -- no.

[MediaMole]

Wolves are coming back very quickly around the country. Wisconsin now has what the DNR describes as a full population of wolves. One was found dead on a freeway just outside downtown Milwaukee.

I can't imagine the situation in the west. Wolf populations need to be controlled. Any predator will take the easiest prey. Unless ranchers can shoot wolves, domesticated livestock are easy prey.

[elkfersupper]

I've seen these in the wild in SW New Mexico.

They look at you like you're lunch.

[george76]

Wizy just joined FR.

His first day ?

[Valpal1]

That caused far more problems historically that effect far more people then a couple of "light" cattle.

Name two, specifically.

[Rembrandt]

Wasn't this and the re-introduction of black bears to Jellystone two examples of Hitlery's genius at work?

[GladesGuru]

Just another day in Paradise - predator paradise, that is. Abd not only the wolves are doing well, the 'crats are getting fat. And why not? The Endangered Species Act provides a life long snout pass for each 'crat to keep its snout in the ESA feeding trough.

Fattening 'crats instead of cattle - whodda thunk it?

On the other hand, if the cats are getting too numerous (and they certainly), perhaps it is time to harvest the excess crats. Since few to none of the 'crats has ever been seen really working, arguably most of the 'crat population can safely be declared surplus.

Given the cost of arm length rubber gloves, and the sheer difficulty of finding anyone to dress and clean one of those things (there are some things even Mexicans just won't do), 'crat steaks will probably be far higher than the cattle they are replacing.

[george76]

 

"Say, I've found a perfect spot to catch us a bear."

"How can you be sure?"

"I saw a sign that said Fine for Hunting."

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Parachute Ted Nugent into the park for a couple weeks a year with his bow and arrow.

Problem solved.

[GladesGuru]

Is it possible he is thinking of using a small neutron bomb? Wolves and wolf program 'crats might thus both experience "the blinding light of satori" as the Zen masters would say.

;-)

[NeoCaveman]

I love wolves, they are kind of my motif in my house, and aren't they primarily scavengers, but with that said the government should get the hell out of the way!

[george76]

Wolves and Brown Bears.

Black bears can be brown or black in color, but a Brown Bear is a Grizzly.

And yes, "two examples of Hitlery's genius at work ?"

[Springman]

Ping.