[Tubac414]

Are they doing as much damage as the deer over population? How many confirmed livestock deaths have been validated. Domestic dogs run stock into fences and it has been blamed on Wolves. Animals die and coyotes and other vermin eat the body and it is counted as a wolf kill even thou no wolfs have been seen in the area for 40 years. In Oregon about 10 years ago a bunch of sheep ranches were passing around the same dead sheep (was in winter so they were basically frozen) to each other so the two dead sheep were counted 26 times - the 4 ranchers were paid $65.00 for the same dead sheep several times before someone took the carcasses and when the Fish and game compared pictures submitted by the ranchers and the two inspectors looked at the bodies they discovered the fraud.

[marktwain]

Here is a link to the wolf distribution map put out by the Wisconsin DNR. To quote the DNR:

“In 2010, wolf depredation to livestock occurred on 47 farms. Total livestock depredation in 2010 included: 63 cattle killed (47 calves), 5 cattle injured, 6 sheep killed (4 lambs), 1 goat injured, and 6 farm deer killed. A total of 25 to 27 packs and 2 to 4 loners/dispersers were involved in depredation on livestock. The enclosed map shows locations of all depredations on livestock (injured or killed), and verified threats or harassment of livestock. For the purpose of depredation management, game farm deer are considered livestock. Non-livestock depredation include attacks on pets, and human safety situations with wolves.”

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/mammals/wolf/wolf_map.htm#map

I recall that the number of pets killed was considerably more than zero, but I cannot remember how many the DNR estimated.

While farmers have a vested interest in reporting wolf depredations, the DNR has a vested interest in minimizing them.

Certainly, deer cause damage as well, and farmers can be reimbursed for some deer damage.

Wolves and deer are both resources that need to be managed. Left to themselves, they cannot be depended on to stay at optimum levels for human purposes.