Elk kills by Wolves

[brianidaho]

The attached link is a little gruesome, but show some of the slaughter of Idaho elk herds by the wolf packs introduced to the area by the federal government. Something to educate those that think the real world is a Disney film...

http://wolfcrossing.org/2007/03/19/e...pecial-report/

I don't have a major problem with wolves as such, just when the popluation is put in place with no checks and balances, in a place that isn't suited for them. We have elk herds already threatened by black bears (they prey on lots of calves at birth) and cougars. Wolves might be better suited for somewhat more popluated Eastern US areas, say some suburban areas that don't allow hunting and have an overpopulaton of whitetail. In addition, most of the major proponents of wolf introduction are from those areas, not out West where we have to live with them. Give them a chance to see them at work.

My biggest concern is depradation during the winter months when elk are hearded up into small wintering areas (warmer valleys with feed), a wolf pack will kill an entire herd when they get the chance. A friend of mine that spends a lot of time in Idaho's Clearwater region found 17 elk kills in one day, with only a few pounds eaten off each. In addion, many pets and hunting dogs are being killed every year.

This one is a few miles from me:
http://www.kxly.com/news/?sect_rank=...&story_id=8529

There was another attack a couple years ago, the wolf pack went after a man, his dog went after the wolf that had hold of the guy. The guy got away, and came back with a gun-the dog was killed, nothing left but the head and backbone. I'm searching for the article, it was in one of our local papers...not a pretty picture.

I'd like to see a hunting season opened on wolves in this area. This potentially allows managing the packs at a size that won't destroy game animal herds. In addition, it will teach some fear of humans. Areas where hunting is prohibited have seen great increases of predator/human interaction. In addition, when managed as a game animal, Idaho's sportsmen will tend to support a healty wolf population; they would be an awsome trophy hunt. My concern is that in our heavily wooded mountains they would be extremely difficult to hunt.

[brianidaho]

Here's a link to the other story I was talking about:
http://www.pursuetheoutdoors.com/for...ead.php?p=3396

This was covered in a local paper, I have seen the online article (not just a post in a forum), but I can't locate it now.

[Andrea]

There do always seem to be unintended consequences when we mess with the natural world, you would think we would have learnt by now to keep out but we never seem to.

[forfi]

If I was to post all the photies of the remains of geese and other of my birdies that were killed and not eaten by foxes it would put you off your food.Too many foxes have the same outcome as too many wolves.