Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition Gathers In Boise

KBCI TV 2 ^ | 08/11/03 | Tami Doty

[bedolido]

BOISE - If the saying is true, that only the strong survive, some fear the Canadian Grey Wolf, will be the only one left standing in Idaho's backcountry.

"We're headed for the worst wildlife disaster in the history of this state," says Ron Gillette. He's been an outfitter near Stanley for 34 years. Since wolves were reintroduced in Idaho in the mid 90's, Gillette believes the environment has changed. "Once you put these Canadian Grey Wolves into an Eco-system, they kill everything. They kill the prey first, then they kill the other predators, and when they get down to wolves they are cannibals."

Bill Campbell is an avid hunter and Idaho outdoorsman. He says, "The impact they're having on our wildgame herds is devastating." Campbell says hunting in Idaho's Bear Valley is no longer the same. He too, blames the wolf.

But on the other hand, "Bringing wolves into Idaho is a tremendous success story." John McCarthy is with the Idaho Conservation League. He admits, there has been destruction to wildlife in some specific areas, but, "Generally wolves have been on their good behavior. They've acted just like wolves are expected to do. They're out there eating wildlife, they're part of the whole cycle of life."

McCarthy says their reintroduction has gone even better than expected. And for those who want to truly experience the magic of the Idaho backcountry, both sides agree on one point, the animal will make it an experience they won't forget. McCarthy says, "It's gotta be a draw for hunters and all kinds of wildlife enthusiasts who want to take pictures or want to just go out and experience Wild Idaho."

[bedolido]

[bedolido]

Ping

[Noumenon]

Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up. That's how it works around here. That goes for animal rights 'activists' as well.

[Imal]

If wolves were outlawed, only outlaws would have wolves.

[rellimpank]

--let's replant a hundred or so to Central Park in NYC and an equal number to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco--see how they go over there--

[Noumenon]

Along with some of the bears they love so much. That's the ticket...

[Lurker]

We saw a coyote tear a cat to pieces the other night.

The noise was awful. It brought people out of their houses around midnight. The lady across the street was in tears lamenting how awful it was. The damned thing was fearless. She said "Do something!" I reminded her that firing a weapon inside city limits was illegal. She said she didn't want me to kill it, just 'make it stop'. What the hell do you say to someone that stupid?

I told her not to get too upset until a pack of them did the same to one of the kids in the neighborhood.

This happened less than 40 miles from downtown Chicago.

L

[Noumenon]

"Nature red in tooth and claw." Dumbass Disneyland libs just don't get it. "Make it stop," my ass. You were brilliant in pointing out just why you couldn't 'make it stop.'

We get coyotes all the time around here - they go howling through, but our cats are smart enough to hit their hidey holes and stay there. The coyotes don't bother the horses at all. The cat we brought with us from the Puget sound area was a city cat - he didn't last too long.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.

[HairOfTheDog]

It breaks my heart how this will end.

We never should have re-introduced wolves. There are just too many people now, and too many easy targets. It is possibly to our shame that there are not more wild places left where wolves can be, but to think they can coexist is fantasy. I have nothing but pity for the those that will be harmed by it..... The wolves included.

[HairOfTheDog]

My horses don't even raise their heads for the coyotes who come by sometimes to hunt bunnies in my pasture.... unless it is for the sport of running them off like a dog.

[blackie]

"Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up."

Yeah, that's the ticket!

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

[blackie]

Canadian Grey Wolves should stay in Canada!

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

[headsonpikes]

Arrroooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Fearless Flyers]

John McCarthy is with the Idaho Conservation League. He admits, there has been destruction to wildlife in some specific areas, but, "Generally wolves have been on their good behavior. They've acted just like wolves are expected to do. They're out there eating wildlife, they're part of the whole cycle of life." Mr. McCarthy allow me to introduce myself, Fearless Flyers. I like you am part am part of the whole cycle of life. I also enjoy trophey hunting and your ass would look just fine hanging over the wifes garden shed door.

[palmer]

This happened less than 40 miles from downtown Chicago.

There's a den of coyotes about 20 miles west of the White House. Those wouldn't last a week where I live (80 miles west).

[hoobt]

Ok guys, I'm an average Joe and I just stumbled acrossed this article and posts while searching the internet for unrelated topics. I grew up in Lewiston and now I'm in Mountain Home. Being an average person, there is something that doesn't sit well with me about the saying "Shoot, shovel and shut up." I'm pretty sure I will get some unintelligent comments regarding this but its a pretty narrow minded phrase. It seems to be motivated by money. It's true that ranchers lose money to wolves the same way they lose money to cougers, bears and uncontrolled dogs. However, why do they not suggest eradication of these species also? I'm sure they wouldn't stop at killing just wolves if given the chance. We as humans, have the amazing capacity to think up techniques to divert wolves and other predatory creatures away from our living dollars (cows, sheep and whatever else). Shooting wolves demonstrates laziness and a complete lack of thought. Remember, they were here before us.

Oh, one more thing, the lady that was shocked to tears by the coyote mauling of her cat needs to get out more. She obviously doesn't watch the news. Remember Jefferey Dahlmer?? When was the last time you saw a coyote chop someone up, boil the flesh off the bones, and barrell it up for storage for a couple of months? Now that would be shocking to tears. Animals don't have the problem, we do.

Thank you for your time in reading this.

[palmer]

Welcome to Free Republic. Threads here start out active and may continue for as long as there is new information or a vibrant discussion going. Unfortunately this thread has neither quality. So bottom line, almost nobody is going to read your post.

As for your opinion, I think animals are worthy of respect but too many people use animal worship as a substitute religion. Mentioning Dahlmer is a red herring, there's no reason that animals should act any better or worse than the most evil humans, they have only instinct. That instinct can be problematic when it conflicts with our survival, but that is a personal decision everyone has to make.

[Canus Lupus]

Well, hoobt, I for one read Palmer's post....and I agree. You know,I believe people and wildlife can peacefully coexist. As for the woman with the cat, you're a damn fool for leaving your cat outside. A cat fight alone can kill it, so what difference does it make whether it's a coyote or another cat or dog or car tire for that matter? If you love your pet, don't let it outside...just plain idiocy.

Also, restoring wolves to their natural habitat is a good thing. Well-funded trusts exist to reminburse ranchers for their lost livestock. Hunters use a weak justification fior their action saying they control the herds themselves and don't need the wolves to do it, BUT the Hunters are only interested in taking large, healthy males. Wolves, by design take old, weak, young and females too, making their means of control much more balanced.

In addition the return of the wolf has created an amazing snowball effect on other species. Elk overpopulation resulted in no new growth of Willow and Aspen trees. Elks feed on the saplings. Beavers left the area because of lack of tree sizes proper for damming (Willow and Aspen). No Beaver dams mean no micro-ecologies hosting fish, frog and other species. Also, several native songbirds, including Redstars and Yellow Warblers disappeared because their nesting sites did too.

The wolf alone has been able to manage the Elk herds, which in turn leave the willows and aspens to grow, providing food and shelter for birds and beavers, etc. The wolf keeps the coyote in check which in turn allows the fox, wolverine and other smaller predators to thrive...all in nature's balance as it should be.

Why is it that humans want to destroy everything in their paths? Is it really our goal to have a country that looks like a paved parking lot everywhere? Can you imagine a forest that had no sound? No birds-no sound. No life. No nothing. And if you think this doesn't effect you, you are wrong. The same thing is happening in the oceans. Warm temps (caused by greenhouse effect) kill off many species, overfishing does too. Killing sharks who keep the ocean clean is the same as erradicating the wolf. Can you imagine trying to enjoy an ocean with dead fish etc, everywhere? Warm seas mean dead coral, which means dead waters. When the polar ice caps melt, there won' be any land left anyway.

What people don't realize is preserving our wildlife and ecologies is what we have to do to preserve our own life, because it's all connected. Most of us just don't see that connection regularly and therefore don't think there is one. Im not trying to say people shouldn't hunt or make a living ranching or whatever, but there has to be a way to co-exist. People need to quit fighting about it and figure it out. Jeez, the richest most educated and privileged society on Earth and all we can do is sit and bitch. Be a part of the solution, not the problem.