Comments on: Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/ Behind the Scenes at King's Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:53:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: Christian http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-179955 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:26:35 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-179955 I am a conservationist and I supported wolf re-introduction yet I also support wolf management, but governor Otter and the state legislature are pushing it a bit too far. Why are we only charging around $9 for a wolf tag when it costs far more to manage them. When hunters complain that $9 is too much to pay to kill something, just factor in all of their thousands spent on their equipment. Also 100 wolves? That is a bit below a healthy breeding population. The federal minimums were 300 per state; and for those of you wondering why 35 wolves were enough to maintain a healthy breeding population in 1995 it is because they were all non-related adults. People who want to hunt wolves as big game are entitled to their opinions, and who knows, maybe learning to fear people and guns will do the wolves some good. However people who want to eradicate them because they think that wolves are decimating the deer and elk population are misinformed. Without a strong predator population, the prey population behaves like a roller coaster, increasing in population during wet years or years with mild winters, and dropping off drastically during drought years or years with heavy snowpack. With a healthy predator population the numbers are much more stable and don't fluctuate nearly as much do to the predator's constant need for, and constant ability to acquire food. We may have slightly fewer deer and elk than we did in the early 1990s, but we have more now than we did in the late 90s, and the wolf population has increased nearly 10 fold since then. One last comment, the elk in Idaho were grossly overpopulated in the early 1990s, and the slight decrease is nothing but good for the wild vegetation. I am a conservationist and I supported wolf re-introduction yet I also support wolf management, but governor Otter and the state legislature are pushing it a bit too far. Why are we only charging around $9 for a wolf tag when it costs far more to manage them. When hunters complain that $9 is too much to pay to kill something, just factor in all of their thousands spent on their equipment. Also 100 wolves? That is a bit below a healthy breeding population. The federal minimums were 300 per state; and for those of you wondering why 35 wolves were enough to maintain a healthy breeding population in 1995 it is because they were all non-related adults. People who want to hunt wolves as big game are entitled to their opinions, and who knows, maybe learning to fear people and guns will do the wolves some good. However people who want to eradicate them because they think that wolves are decimating the deer and elk population are misinformed. Without a strong predator population, the prey population behaves like a roller coaster, increasing in population during wet years or years with mild winters, and dropping off drastically during drought years or years with heavy snowpack. With a healthy predator population the numbers are much more stable and don’t fluctuate nearly as much do to the predator’s constant need for, and constant ability to acquire food. We may have slightly fewer deer and elk than we did in the early 1990s, but we have more now than we did in the late 90s, and the wolf population has increased nearly 10 fold since then. One last comment, the elk in Idaho were grossly overpopulated in the early 1990s, and the slight decrease is nothing but good for the wild vegetation.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: Shawn http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-111982 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:53:40 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-111982 I say kill as many of them as we can…They are not the native wolves to Idaho. I don't like paying for them and we (Idaho) did not want them. The land balance was just fine without them.. We don't need them. They kill any thing they can eat. Elk, deer, you, me.. They don't discriminate. I spend allot of time in the backcountry and they are doing damage to the elk and deer herds. I have seen the changes first hand. The wolf population in Idaho for 2006 is 673. The mid year population for 2007 is 788 wolves. This year, 36 cows and 150 sheep have been confirmed as wolf kills. Across the northern Rockies this year the total estimated wolf population is 1,545 wolves in 179 packs. They are spreading like wild fire and not being managed. I say kill as many of them as we can…They are not the native wolves to Idaho. I don’t like paying for them and we (Idaho) did not want them. The land balance was just fine without them.. We don’t need them. They kill any thing they can eat. Elk, deer, you, me.. They don’t discriminate. I spend allot of time in the backcountry and they are doing damage to the elk and deer herds. I have seen the changes first hand.

The wolf population in Idaho for 2006 is 673.
The mid year population for 2007 is 788 wolves.
This year, 36 cows and 150 sheep have been confirmed as wolf kills.
Across the northern Rockies this year the total estimated wolf population is 1,545 wolves in 179 packs. They are spreading like wild fire and not being managed.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: jes jose http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-111221 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:17:04 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-111221 i am an indian and i have very little knowledge of the wolf sp in the US but i do know our is kind of smaller and much skinneyr .I know the indian wolfs very well(i was in the indian forest for 20yrs).i have seen a lot of wolf pack hunts but one shocked me.i have seen them attack children but i was(we) able to save them at the cost of 8 wolf(service guns are AK47s).but once i witnessed a pack kill a male tiger(largest of cat family) even though 3 wolfs were killed in the process by the tiger.so if a pack can kill a tiger they can take any thing(it takes atleast two .470cal 500grain shots to kill tiger).and they are very daring(i had to climb trees a number of times).i would defnitly support wolf managment but not eradication(nature is not beautiful).as for those who say let nature take its way i say ur too late(around 3centures) man started to play god now he has to run nature. i am an indian and i have very little knowledge of the wolf sp in the US but i do know our is kind of smaller and much skinneyr .I know the indian wolfs very well(i was in the indian forest for 20yrs).i have seen a lot of wolf pack hunts but one shocked me.i have seen them attack children but i was(we) able to save them at the cost of 8 wolf(service guns are AK47s).but once i witnessed a pack kill a male tiger(largest of cat family) even though 3 wolfs were killed in the process by the tiger.so if a pack can kill a tiger they can take any thing(it takes atleast two .470cal 500grain shots to kill tiger).and they are very daring(i had to climb trees a number of times).i would defnitly support wolf managment but not eradication(nature is not beautiful).as for those who say let nature take its way i say ur too late(around 3centures) man started to play god now he has to run nature.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: brody http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-108398 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:09:32 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-108398 look in the zoos. you don't see whitetail deer or cottentail rabbits or mule deer or elk or moose. you can find wolves though. there is a reason! they are rare. be glad you a one of the few states that can claim wolves as a part of your population. i would love to go out into the woods a see one in ohio, but i can't. the numbers for them are not that great ,its to soon. if you want a dog pelt on your wall, go shoot a coyote and stretch a little. if you like shooting dogs. look in the zoos. you don’t see whitetail deer or cottentail rabbits or mule deer or elk or moose. you can find wolves though. there is a reason! they are rare. be glad you a one of the few states that can claim wolves as a part of your population. i would love to go out into the woods a see one in ohio, but i can’t. the numbers for them are not that great ,its to soon. if you want a dog pelt on your wall, go shoot a coyote and stretch a little. if you like shooting dogs.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: winchester http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-62409 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 01:58:33 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-62409 I agree that wolves need to be MANAGED. Wolves were intoduced to areas where the deer and elk populations were stong. When wolves were introduced to my stomping grounds, i noticed a huge impact on herd sizes. The biggest change i have seen is the smaller, immature bulls are gathering up small herds of cows. The dominate herd bull gene's are not being passed on to more of the cows. The other thing I have noticed is that the wolves around here are not scared of humans, instead they are very curious. That (in my book) is not good. I have had one encounter where i was cow calling when I had a pack of wolves come racing in. When they got to me they were not scared when they relized what i was, they just stood and looked at me then trotted off. I've herd other similar stories. I guess what i'm trying to say is that we need to start shooting some to get thier attention. Oh ya, I wouldn't mind having a couple nice hides on my wall too! I agree that wolves need to be MANAGED. Wolves were intoduced to areas where the deer and elk populations were stong. When wolves were introduced to my stomping grounds, i noticed a huge impact on herd sizes. The biggest change i have seen is the smaller, immature bulls are gathering up small herds of cows. The dominate herd bull gene’s are not being passed on to more of the cows. The other thing I have noticed is that the wolves around here are not scared of humans, instead they are very curious. That (in my book) is not good. I have had one encounter where i was cow calling when I had a pack of wolves come racing in. When they got to me they were not scared when they relized what i was, they just stood and looked at me then trotted off. I’ve herd other similar stories. I guess what i’m trying to say is that we need to start shooting some to get thier attention. Oh ya, I wouldn’t mind having a couple nice hides on my wall too!

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: Jenny http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-54652 Tue, 08 May 2007 17:02:53 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-54652 Wolves in Idaho are necessary. They were a part of the area’s food chain before settlers even arrived. They regulate other species (such as elk) and prevent them from putting undue strain on the natural vegetation. But I don’t think it means that some type of population control isn’t in order. From what I’ve read there are six different states that will be taking measures to control their wolf population once this legislation is approved. What DOES bother me is the underlying spirit of this movement in Idaho. Just look at groups like the Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition and the special interest groups (cattleman and hunters) who are having a big impact on the decisions of Idaho government officials. I don’t believe that their interest is the environment but instead personal interest on their pocketbooks. Lone wolves who have encroached too closely to their land are already being killed (I’ve seen this firsthand.) and I believe that the eradication of the wolf ultimately is what they have in mind. States like Wisconsin and Minnesota have set significantly higher minimum wolf population levels and are proposing much stricter guidelines in wolf population control legislation. It would be nice to see Idaho take the same route. If the control of the wolf population in this area is to be done in a sound way, it should NOT be by groups that have a monetary stake in their departure. It should be done only with careful consideration on the legitimate impact of the wolf on wildlife and their healthy numbers determined from that point only. Wolves in Idaho are necessary. They were a part of the area’s food chain before settlers even arrived. They regulate other species (such as elk) and prevent them from putting undue strain on the natural vegetation.

But I don’t think it means that some type of population control isn’t in order. From what I’ve read there are six different states that will be taking measures to control their wolf population once this legislation is approved.

What DOES bother me is the underlying spirit of this movement in Idaho. Just look at groups like the Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition and the special interest groups (cattleman and hunters) who are having a big impact on the decisions of Idaho government officials.

I don’t believe that their interest is the environment but instead personal interest on their pocketbooks. Lone wolves who have encroached too closely to their land are already being killed (I’ve seen this firsthand.) and I believe that the eradication of the wolf ultimately is what they have in mind.

States like Wisconsin and Minnesota have set significantly higher minimum wolf population levels and are proposing much stricter guidelines in wolf population control legislation.

It would be nice to see Idaho take the same route. If the control of the wolf population in this area is to be done in a sound way, it should NOT be by groups that have a monetary stake in their departure. It should be done only with careful consideration on the legitimate impact of the wolf on wildlife and their healthy numbers determined from that point only.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: Big Paul http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-46075 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:23:20 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-46075 Uhh... I hate to bring up old threads, but as a person of Native American descent - we call ourselves INDIANS, by the way - We haven't been eradicated, Mr. Twain. Your post has no credibility. It only shows the extremes that some will reach for in order to force a point onto others. Tell it like it is, and people will listen. Exaggeration only alienates your opinion. Uhh… I hate to bring up old threads, but as a person of Native American descent - we call ourselves INDIANS, by the way - We haven’t been eradicated, Mr. Twain.
Your post has no credibility. It only shows the extremes that some will reach for in order to force a point onto others. Tell it like it is, and people will listen. Exaggeration only alienates your opinion.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: Mr. D http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-45742 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:30:14 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-45742 Wolves in Idaho I am a former resident of Idaho and I still spend as much time as possible in the mountains of salmon, I have watched herds of elk go from rather large to very small I have watched the deer population drop lower than they already were, am I against wolves. Thats is a hard question to answer I love the beauty of mother nature and all she has to offer, but there must be management in all things... Do I believe they should be in Idaho and wyoming and montana... If their is a balance.. I also say that they should be everywhere else.. so lets put them in central park, for all the people who have no Idea the damage they can do Wolves in Idaho I am a former resident of Idaho and I still spend as much time as possible in the mountains of salmon, I have watched herds of elk go from rather large to very small I have watched the deer population drop lower than they already were, am I against wolves. Thats is a hard question to answer I love the beauty of mother nature and all she has to offer, but there must be management in all things… Do I believe they should be in Idaho and wyoming and montana… If their is a balance.. I also say that they should be everywhere else.. so lets put them in central park, for all the people who have no Idea the damage they can do

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: L_A http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-38611 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 21:53:35 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-38611 Wow! This is a pretty big argument. Let me just say, I'm all for having wolves in the lower 48 states. I'm not real clear on the situation in idaho because I don't live there, but it sounds like there are some radically different viewpoints on the topic of wolf hunting. Even as much as I love wolves, I have to support the idea of controlling wolf populations to some extent. It's better for the animals and the people. Wolves just can't live on this continent the way they used to, there is too much of their old habitat gone. I agree with Matt J, it's nice to see someone ask about what's going on before they start throwing their opinion around. There's a lot of people(for and against wolf hunting) making some pretty dumb comments on these blogs. Wow! This is a pretty big argument. Let me just say, I’m all for having wolves in the lower 48 states. I’m not real clear on the situation in idaho because I don’t live there, but it sounds like there are some radically different viewpoints on the topic of wolf hunting. Even as much as I love wolves, I have to support the idea of controlling wolf populations to some extent. It’s better for the animals and the people. Wolves just can’t live on this continent the way they used to, there is too much of their old habitat gone.

I agree with Matt J, it’s nice to see someone ask about what’s going on before they start throwing their opinion around. There’s a lot of people(for and against wolf hunting) making some pretty dumb comments on these blogs.

]]> Comment on Wolf Hunting in Idaho Set at $26.50 by: Steady http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-35421 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 01:15:12 +0000 http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/2007/01/27/wolf-hunting-in-idaho-set-at-2650/#comment-35421 Do I think for one minute that wolf populations have decimated the elk or deer herds, No. Hard winters do a lot more of that than wolves. It is also true that area ranchers do lose some of their livestock to wolves every year, and they must feel that in the old wallet! Mountain lions have killed many more people than wolves and yet our managing them hasn't seemed to stem that figure much. Although how much higher would that number be if we weren't managing them! I am sure that the family of that 22 year old guy in Canada is probably still out looking for wolves to kill, I know I would be! There is a number of wolves that the prey animals can support and still be healthy! We need to maintain that number whatever it may be! I no longer live in Idaho but wish I did, because I love to hunt. Although I don't believe I would ever hunt wolves, I wouldn't blame someone who did. Do I think for one minute that wolf populations have decimated the elk or deer herds, No. Hard winters do a lot more of that than wolves. It is also true that area ranchers do lose some of their livestock to wolves every year, and they must feel that in the old wallet! Mountain lions have killed many more people than wolves and yet our managing them hasn’t seemed to stem that figure much. Although how much higher would that number be if we weren’t managing them! I am sure that the family of that 22 year old guy in Canada is probably still out looking for wolves to kill, I know I would be! There is a number of wolves that the prey animals can support and still be healthy! We need to maintain that number whatever it may be! I no longer live in Idaho but wish I did, because I love to hunt. Although I don’t believe I would ever hunt wolves, I wouldn’t blame someone who did.

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