Wolves: at your back door?

A controversial subject to be sure. Sure they are neat, wild animals, cool to see (maybe I don't know I've never seen one in the wild, but I wonder have they seen me?) You've all heard it, they were here first, they are so beautiful etc etc.

They sound so precious....an integral part of preserving the American West.....but how costly are they?

Table 1. Total wolf mortality in WY from 2003 through September 30, 2012.

Cause of Mortality 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012  Total
Control                    18     29      41     44     63     46      31    40    36    36     384
Natural                     3       0        3       1        2      3        2       2      3     2        21 
Under Investigation 5        1        5       8        5      8        0       8      2     2        44
Unknown                 1        0        0       1        2      8        7       4      5     0       28
Other                       0        6        2       5        3     14       0       4      5     4        43
Total                       27      36       51     59      75    79      40     58     51  44      520

Table 2: Confirmed livestock depredations in WY from 2003 through September 30, 2012.  

     Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012   Total
Cattle     34     75      54    123    55    41     20      26    35    27^    490
Sheep      7     18      27      38    16    26    195     33    30    105^^ 495
Other       2     10       1         0      1     0       0        1       1*    0         16
Dogs        0       2       1         1     2      0       7        0       1     3**      17
Total        43    105    83    162    74     67    222    60      67   135      1,018
*A horse broke its leg and had to be euthanized after being chased by wolves in a pasture on private property. Six additional horses, 3 calves, and 1 dog were injured in 2011.
** One dog was also injured by wolves but survived.
^   At least 10 additional calves were injured by wolves.
^^At least 4 additional sheep were injured by wolves.

Packs involved in livestock depredations:  Seven packs (New Fork, Ishawooa, Phantom Springs, Clark, Spring Mt, Hoodoo, Green River packs) were involved in >1 depredation. One pack (Green River Pack) was responsible for killing >10 cattle (37% of all cattle depredations). Three packs (Greys River, Prospect, and Dog Creek packs) were involved in >1 sheep depredation. One pack (Greys River Pack) was responsible for killing >53 sheep (50% of all sheep depredations).


Beginning September 30, the State of Wyoming took over management of the State's thriving wolf population. Even so, the Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to monitor the state's actions and progress in managing the wolf population to make sure it doesn't fall below minimum numbers. Fish and Wildlife Service stated, "by all biological measures the wolf has fully recovered." Wolf recovery goals have been exceeded every year since 2002.

--facts and figures complements of the Wyoming Gray Wolf Status Report. Click here to read the whole report.--


Lately there have been numerous signs posted about missing pets in the North Rock Springs area. Earlier this week this gal was harvested as part of Wyoming's Wolf Management Plan......less than 15 miles from town, tracked from a small town near Rock Springs.

 

photo via Facebook

That close to town aren't we lucky it wasn't someone's small human listed on that MISSING poster at the local convenience store. And by the way congratulations on the hunt and kill of a lifetime, wolf guy!

I still believe that hunting plays a vital role in the circle of life. In order for us all to co-exist there has to be boundaries. You can bet your bottom dollar that the newly opened wolf hunts are being strictly monitored. Game and Fish are watching, the wolf population won't be going extinct again, HOWEVER it must be kept in control or there will come a day where you won't see any wildlife.....no elk, no moose, no deer. And what about ranching and the way of life that feeds the American people.

Compromise......something America needs to learn again.

And so I come to the conclusion wolves are "nice".....as long as they aren't at MY back door.