Montana, Idaho consider increased wolf hunt quotas

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

BILLINGS, Mont. – Hunters in Montana would be allowed to kill nearly three times as many gray wolves this fall compared with last year's inaugural hunt, under a proposal announced Friday by state wildlife officials.

Wolves in neighboring Idaho also face a potentially higher quota. And hunters there could be allowed to use traps, electronic calls and, in some regions, bait to increase their odds of a successful kill. Final details are pending.

The moves to put more wolves into hunters' crosshairs come barely a year after the predators came off the endangered species list.

But a pending federal lawsuit could block the states' wolf seasons. Wolf advocates — including the Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife — argue the hunts would be too aggressive, threatening the species' long-term survival.

Ranchers counter that mounting livestock losses to wolves must be put in check through any available means, including hunting. State wildlife officials say last year's seasons proved the animals can withstand significant hunting pressure without collapsing.

Montana wildlife managers are asking the state's Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission to approve a quota between 186 and 216 wolves for the fall hunting season. During the 2009 hunt, 72 wolves were killed; the quota was 75.

The commission will take up the proposal when it meets Thursday in Helena. A final decision is expected in July following a public comment period.

Montana Chief of Wildlife Ken McDonald says the changes would target wolves in parts of the state where the predators have menaced livestock producers and frustrated hunters. Wolves regularly attack sheep and cattle, while big game species like elk and deer are a mainstay of their diet.

"We've learned a lot over the past year," McDonald said. "It's our responsibility to address the fact that more than 200 sheep and about 100 head of cattle were killed by wolves last year and that wolves have depressed deer and elk populations in some areas."

An archery-only wolf season also would be introduced. Stricter quota limits would be enforced for some backcountry areas, to concentrate hunting in areas where livestock attacks are more frequent.

Last year was the first time the animals had been subject to an organized public hunt in the Lower 48 states since they were nearly exterminated in the 1930s.

Hunting never stopped in Alaska, where wolf numbers never dipped to unsustainable levels. Wyoming briefly allowed the animals to be shot on sight two years ago, but the 320 wolves there have since been returned to the endangered species list.

There were at least 525 wolves in Montana last year. The number across the Northern Rockies — 1,706 — is still growing, though at its slowest rate in nearly 15 years.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission meets in August to set the quota, season dates and other groundrules for the state's 2010 hunt.

Jim Unsworth, Idaho Fish and Game deputy director, said the commission's objective is to lower the population to about 520 wolves, a number in line with the state's management goals.

At the end of 2009, Idaho had at least 843 wolves.

The agency is also considering allowing hunters to obtain more than one wolf permit, especially in some zones where wolves are impacting elk herds.

Idaho's first hunt ended in March with hunters bagging 185 wolves, short of the quota of 220. Biologists credited the hunt with stabilizing a species that had been growing at a rate of 20 percent annually.

Environmental groups also tried to block last year's hunts, but their request for an injunction was turned down.

The lawsuit remains pending, and the groups are scheduled to press their case again during a June 15 hearing before U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula.

"It's no surprise to us that Montana and Idaho are trying to up the hunt levels," said Doug Honnold with Earthjustice, the plaintiff's lead attorney. "We're going to do everything in our power to pursue the litigation and try to stop the hunts."

link

[Pooky 3,784]

Just wrong

[PhiLandShiR 18]

Montana Chief of Wildlife Ken McDonald says the changes would target wolves in parts of the state where the predators have menaced livestock producers and frustrated hunters. Wolves regularly attack sheep and cattle, while big game species like elk and deer are a mainstay of their diet.

"We've learned a lot over the past year," McDonald said. "It's our responsibility to address the fact that more than 200 sheep and about 100 head of cattle were killed by wolves last year and that wolves have depressed deer and elk populations in some areas."

link

I am puzzled buy the comment about wolves regularly attack sheep and cattle which is then being contradicted by saying while big game species like elk and deer are a mainstay of their diet....

I also wonder what percentage 200 sheep and about 100 head of cattle is, from the total number of sheep and cattle raised in Montana ....

Much is being made about a molehill I think....

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I am puzzled buy the comment about wolves regularly attack sheep and cattle which is then being contradicted by saying while big game species like elk and deer are a mainstay of their diet....

Nothing contradictory about it; elk/deer/moose (and possibly bison) are the grey-wolf's main diet. But due to habitat-fragmentation for farming (and also diseases from livestock), there has been reduction in the numbers of these--and some of the wolves turn to the closest similar animals, which HAPPEN TO BE livestock).

Similar effect has also been noticed with predatory species outside US (such as Asian lions in Sasan Gir)

I also wonder what percentage 200 sheep and about 100 head of cattle is, from the total number of sheep and cattle raised in Montana ....

Much is being made about a molehill I think....

in magnitude-range between 0.001% and 0.01%.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

a large percentage of wolves diet is rodents - read farley mowat's "cry wolf"

[almaty 19]

terrible and just wrong

[Nagishkaw 510]

0h this just pizzes me off to no end.

[ValerieA 350]

terrible and just wrong

Why? If their numbers are getting out of control in those states, and this will not put them back in the endangered category, they are becoming a nuisance and need to be dealt with. Each state has experts that determine the optimal number of wolves for their ecology, and Idaho is significantly over that.

Oh, and Never Cry Wolf is an awesome book!

[Nagishkaw 510]

Why should they be murdered to accommodate man ?

And hunters there could be allowed to use traps, electronic calls and, in some regions, bait to increase their odds of a successful kill.

I guess this is humane?

Edited May 11, 2010 by Nagishkaw

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Why should they be murdered to accommodate man ?

Because we are the predominant species.

Why? If their numbers are getting out of control in those states, and this will not put them back in the endangered category, they are becoming a nuisance and need to be dealt with. Each state has experts that determine the optimal number of wolves for their ecology, and Idaho is significantly over that.

Exactly.

[ValerieA 350]

Why should they be murdered to accommodate man ?

I guess this is humane?

Man has his part to play in the ecology, you know.

I don't agree with traps, you are right, they are not humane. Calls and baiting I disagree with because you should have some degree of difficulty involved.

[Nagishkaw 510]

[Pooky 3,784]

Man has his part to play in the ecology, you know.

I don't agree with traps, you are right, they are not humane. Calls and baiting I disagree with because you should have some degree of difficulty involved.

The control part of this is a smokescreen. A lot of this is to do with giving hunters a predator to go and kill. It's wrong and most people know it.

So Idaho has 843 wolves. Big Fat Hairy Deal. Are wolves a threat to humans? No. Moose kill more humans than wolves. This is about money and blood. Ranchers' money and wolves' blood.

Makes me sick.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I'm sure they wouldn't have to hunt wolves at a high rate if they just lowered the allowed # of deer humans are allowed to hunt each year.

They're going after livestock because we're taking away their food supply.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Rhiannercakes

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

a large percentage of wolves diet is rodents - read farley mowat's "cry wolf"

Quit being such a Canucky Chucky. :bonk: