An ongoing battle: ranchers vs. wolves

The Online Pioneer ^ | 12-07-2002 | ??

[Delphinium]

ID F&G studies indicate elk, deer and moose populations in the current areas that wolves are now growing into are on a dangerous rate of decline. From 1997 to 2000, predation took 95% of elk calves in the Clearwater region of the Lolo zone (that's 7000 calves taken by predators,compared to 600 bulls taken by hunters!). Other region's predation impacts are still being evaluated and these studies are being funded by Idaho sportsmen and women via the ID Dept. of F&G.

Let's now discuss the state revenue that Idaho communities are now loosing due to the reduction of ungulates in those areas where the wolf populations are going unchecked (and this spring will ~ quadruple). There are over 330,000 Idaho Hunters and Fishermen that directly contribute $680 million to the Idaho economy (based on 1999 state economic reports), using a conservative economic multiplier factor of 4 equates to a trickledown of $2.72 billion infused into this states economy by sportsmen. This does not include vehicles and related costs or tourism coming worldwide for wildlife viewing. and again this is a conservative multiplier(which can be as high as 7, or $4.76 Billion). This is only Idaho! What about Montana and Wyoming? there is no comparison in monies infused into the tri-states by wolves. Consider the loss of livestock and big game herds, Wolves are having a major negative impacts into the states economy. The 23 million will not begin to compensate the loss of Yellowstone's elk herds alone!!! not including moose,deer,bighorn sheep,antelope,etc. "If ever" wolves are delisted and states take control, more negative impacts into the states, a cost of 150-200 million per year to monitor wolves! coming directly out of sportsman's funds. The problem; wolves will continue to annihilate all wildlife, This is only the beginning as Wolf populations multiply so will the cost per year to monitor wolves, leaving no revenue coming from sportsman's funds! ( no hunting opportunities, no revenue) Putting a financial tax burden on the citizens. Mr. Norman Bishop wants to discuss 23 million!!! Take all the words used by the pro Wolf advocates, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, mix them up, it comes out spelling "Wolf Disaster"! John Nelson

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Free the USA]

fyi

[itzmygun]

And the stress of having wolf packs in their backyards has caused dramatically lower birth rates and growth rates in their herds

What? The cattle or the ranchers?

[nothingnew]

"The rest of the people are really benefiting from the $23 million in tourism the wolves bring to this economy."

Must be the wealthy wolves from kalifornia.

FMCDH

[2timothy3.16]

And the score is:

Ranchers ten, wolves zero.

[Tribune7]

I said what the solution is before. Pass legislation to introduce wolves into the Hamptons, Central Park and Boston Common as protected species.

[xsrdx]

Pass legislation to introduce wolves into the Hamptons, Central Park and Boston Common as protected species.

Nothing there big enough to feed a wolfpack, except humans, and it's hard for wolves to bring down a Mercedes.

I don't like enviros for the most part, but I like wolves and wild places. The wilderness should be dangerous, it makes traveling through it more interesting.

The ranchers have gotten used to a predator-free environment, and now they have to work harder. If my hamburger costs more, maybe I'll complain. So far it's not an issue.

[Tribune7]

Nothing there big enough to feed a wolfpack, except humans . . .

Excuse me, but what right to these "humans" as you call them have to intrude on the historic environs of the noble lobo?

[Delphinium]

don't like enviros for the most part, but I like wolves and wild places. The wilderness should be dangerous, it makes traveling through it more interesting.

What about the people who live here? I bet you would change your mind if you encountered a wolf pack while traveling through. You can't use your SUV to travel through the wild places.

[Delphinium]

Pass legislation to introduce wolves into the Hamptons, Central Park and Boston Common as protected species.

I think Butch Otter already introduced the bill. It probably didn't get much support from the people who love wolves, and wild places.

Nothing there big enough to feed a wolfpack, except humans, and it's hard for wolves to bring down a Mercedes.

Maybe they would have to give up living there to make room for the right habitat.They could atleast give up their cars for these beautiful wild animals.

[xsrdx]

I bet you would change your mind if you encountered a wolf pack while traveling through.

I wouldn't think of entering wolf, bear, lion or other large predator habitat unarmed. If a pack of wolves mistook me for a prey animal - not likely - I would kill them, or die trying. Either way, I'd be more concerned about an avalanche or hypothermia than being attacked by wolves.

I would not try to eradicate or blame them for being predators in an effort to sanitize the wilderness.

There has to be middle ground between forests full of ravenous, man eating predators and forests full of nothing but bunny rabbits and cattle.

[xsrdx]

Excuse me, but what right to these "humans" as you call them have to intrude on the historic environs of the noble lobo?

LOL don't assume I'm some PETA/ELF freak either, I'm not about to advocate animal rights over human.

But sheesh, do we have to sanitize every wild place in America so it's "safe" for the cattle and bunny rabbits to roam carefree?

[Centurion2000]

The wilderness should be dangerous, it makes traveling through it more interesting.

Try running into a pack without a handy firearm .... you WILL change your tune. Assuming you survive it.

[xsrdx]

They could atleast give up their cars for these beautiful wild animals.

Oh, heck no. No compromise. Let's turn the wilderness into a big ol' strip mall, so nobody gets hurt.

Pave it all, so I don't have to get my truck dirty while I hunt farm raised ungulate.

[Delphinium]

I would kill them, or die trying.

You might find yourself in alot of trouble. Remember wolves run in packs of 7. Our hunting buddy came upon 2 big cougars this fall. He shot one with his bow, but it was pretty scary for a while. He is a very experienced woodsman.Check out this story of what happened to one family.

http://www.rangemagazine.com/stories/fall98/caught_between.htm

I would not try to eradicate or blame them for being predators in an effort to sanitize the wilderness.

Maybe they could introduce them in your back yard? middle ground
would be where we were without the help of the endangered species act.

[xsrdx]

Try running into a pack without a handy firearm .... you WILL change your tune. Assuming you survive it.

Well, part of living in that habitat would be preparedness, thus my firearm would remain handy. I would count myself lucky to have had the encounter, as I sent the Alpha off to the taxidermist.

Africans live with lion and leopard, Russians and Indians live with tigers (the few that remain), and Canucks and Alaskans live with enormous and exceedingly dangerous bears. Why do so many find it impossible to live with Wolves?

[Tribune7]

:-)

I live here in a big eastern urban area. I don't feel comfortable imposing a policy that wouldn't directly affect me on someone whom it would. I look at ranchers/farmers as being akin to small business owners -- something I do know about -- and I'm sympathetic to their complaints.

I don't know enough about the situation to express a real definitive answer but I strongly lean to letting the ranchers being allowed to eliminate threats to their herds.

Here in the east we do at times have problems with dogs going wild in packs -- and not necessarily in the cities. They have no protection

[Delphinium]

Oh, heck no

I guess that means no, you just want them in my back yard so you can travel through and feel dangerous?

[xsrdx]

He shot one with his bow, but it was pretty scary for a while

I didn't read the article yet, but I'm guessing F&G regs prohibited carrying sidearms during bow season?

Not having a gun would suck, good thing bowhunters are tough.