Not gonna let it die! More good news! Read what Jemenez says at the end, even with 20% removed each year, the packs continue to grow. Good thing they only eat rodents, and sick and dead animals! ANd the ass hole says there are only 120 outside the park in Wy. The government trapper from Cody tells a different tale! He has shot 20 or so himself and claims there are over a 100 in the Absorka's south of Cody to the reservation. Methinks some one is fibing!

Feds kill more wolves

By CAT URBIGKIT
Star-Tribune correspondent Thursday, December 15, 2005




DANIEL -- A total of 28 wolves have been killed by animal damage control specialists in Sublette County this year, with six killed in the last several days.

Two wolves were killed Friday in the Daniel region, then four more on Tuesday, federal officials said.

On Dec. 7, USDA Wildlife Services personnel confirmed another calf killed on private land by the uncollared Daniel wolf pack, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“This pack has killed numerous livestock throughout this spring and summer, as well as last year†in an area of checkerboard private and public land ownership that is used extensively for livestock production, the agency said. The area is also interspersed with state elk feedgrounds that draw and hold dispersing wolves.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department elk feedground manager Gary Hornberger said wolves have chased elk off the North Piney feedground to the extent that the elk didn't return, but moved to lower elevations, including onto the Bench Corral elk feedground north of Marbleton. In addition, wolves chased the elk off the Franz feedground on at least three occasions since feeding began earlier this month, he said.

Because the Daniel wolf pack has been involved in repeated livestock depredation, Wildlife Services was authorized to remove all remaining pack members, the Fish and Wildlife Service reported.

On Friday, Wildlife Services used fixed-wing aircraft to kill two adult gray wolves out of the pack known to be in the area. On Tuesday, four more wolves from the pack were killed. Mike Jimenez of the Fish and Wildlife Service said there are at least two wolves left in the area and control is ongoing.

So far in 2005, federal control agents have removed 41 wolves from Wyoming's wolf population, including the 28 in Sublette County. Jimenez said there are at least 120 wolves inside Wyoming and outside Yellowstone National Park, including 12 or 13 packs inhabiting regions outside the park.

Wyoming's wolf population continues to grow, Jimenez said, even though control efforts result in an annual removal of about 20 percent of the state's wolf population that roams outside the national parks.


Wolf lovers!

Wouldn't it be nice if hunters and trappers could take that 20%?????

Ain't gonna happen!

*** WOLVES AND GRIZ. ***

MHO , is as follows :

We should have the Game Management Expertise , by now , to manage the Wolf and Grizzly populations and ranges , to a point where the Species does not become extinct ; --- but where they constitute minimal jeopardy for Ranchers , Hunters , and other Outdoorsmen .

I want to see them managed to a point where attacks on valuable Livestock , and Human Animals are at or below levels when these animals became protected , -- i.e. -- very rare .

I do not want to see Wolves and or Griz. Bears wiped out . --- But this trend of watching Bear Attacks and Wolf Kills endanger Livestock and Outdoorsmen , to the degree it now exists , -- ( and growing ) , -- is not good .

If we can't Manage our Bears and Wolves well enough to ensure their survival as a Species ; -- but still protect Rancher's livelyhoods , and ensure a modicum of safety to Outdoor Recreational use . --- then our Wildlife MANAGERS , have FAILED .

It's all a matter of DEGREE , Sportsfans , -- and it's gone too far to the Predator's side .

We should never forget why Westeners , ever since Lewis and Clark , and most of the generations since , -- have shot these critters , on-sight .

--- If you'd ever seen a human body after a Bear or Wolf attack , -- or had a loved one hit on by one of these , -- you'd understand .

Our Wildlife research Facilities at Colorado State Univ. and Denver Wildlife Research , are the best in the world !

I'm a Professional Forester , by Education , ( out of Colo. State ) , and I'm a Conservationist ; --- but I want to see the pendulum swing the other way .

I want to Manage for maximum Meat-Animals , and Less Major Predators . --- I want to be able to sleep outdoors in Montana and Wyoming , etc . -- and not have that crummy feeling that I'm subjecting my family to jeopardy by enjoying the Wilderness . Our great-outdoors is for People too .

--- If I break my leg , way out somewheres , while hunting alone , -- I sure as hell , don't want to worry about F - - - ing , Wolves . --- And I think Ranchers have a right to make a good living .


-------------------------- MMCOUGAR .

Wolf standoff persists

By ROBERT W. BLACK
Star-Tribune staff writer Friday, December 16, 2005




LARAMIE -- Wyoming must regulate all hunting of wolves if it ever wants to see the predator removed from federal protection, a top U.S. Interior Department official told a legislative committee.

"What we need in Wyoming is we need to have a licensed hunt," Paul Hoffman, Interior's deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, told the Joint Travel Committee on Thursday.

For years, Wyoming officials and Interior have squabbled in meeting rooms, back rooms and courtrooms over how the state should manage wolves if the animals are removed from Endangered Species Act protection.

Testimony from Hoffman -- who opposed the federal government's wolf reintroduction program in the 1990s while serving as executive director of the Cody Chamber of Commerce -- didn't immediately break the stalemate.

Last year, the federal government rejected the state's management plan because it allowed too much freedom by the public to shoot wolves that stray from the national parks and wilderness areas of northwest Wyoming.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal, the Legislature and many ranchers and hunting outfitters support the "shoot on sight" provision to keep wolf populations at bay in other areas of the state. Federal officials say the provision would hinder establishment of a sustainable wolf population.

The state sued in U.S. District Court over the rejected plan and lost but has appealed.

Hoffman told lawmakers that if wolves were subjected to statewide regulated hunting -- as long as a minimum of 15 wolf packs is maintained -- the state's management plan would likely be approved and the process of de-listing could move forward.

But Terry Cleveland, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said the state's plan will achieve the same result of protecting wolves in northwest Wyoming without requiring residents in other parts of the state to buy hunting licenses.

"We believe we can manage wolves successfully within the wolf management plan that's been adopted," he said. For wolves that stray far from the wilderness areas, "the end result is the same: They're dead."

Some lawmakers told Hoffman they didn't see the point of requiring citizens to purchase a license for say, $1, and be given a 12-month hunting season to shoot wolves when the same goal could be achieved without Game and Fish oversight.

Rep. Kermit Brown, R-Laramie, saw no need for regulated hunting in Goshen County, for example, "where we can all agree the wolf has no place."

Hoffman said Wyoming's current plan simply won't hold up in court.

"We do not believe it will withstand a legal challenge as an adequate regulatory mechanism," he said.

After the meeting, committee co-chairman Rep. Pat Childers, R-Cody, said he will not pursue any change to Wyoming's wolf management plan unless directed so by legislative leadership and the governor.


Wolf lovers and supporters!

Seems pretty simple Wyomingites.... (or is it Wyomingans?)get your shi* together! We (Idaho) and Montana have an approved plan in place whats the holdup? At this rate wolves are going to be "officially" in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Nevada before long and we'll have to wait even longer....
Don't want to have to buy hunting licenses??? Gimme a break! Quit whining and adopt a plan that will get them off the list.....

Merry Christmas!

IV

We have our shit together IV...it is no different right now than what we are proposing in our wolf plan after delisting. Wolves are to be regulated by a hunting season around the GYE, shot on sight outside that area. The only difference is that right now APHIS is doing all the shooting instead of the public!
Seems to be working to me.

MG

Why do the Wyomingites have to have to bend over ?

Why can't USF&WS change their tune just once ?


I applaud Wyoming's stance , and in the long run , I doubt it's gonna make one iota of difference . You fellas are gonna be old and grey before you can ever hope to apply for a wolf tag.........

So long as the feds have to pay and kill. Let them do it! 20% a year would be more than most hunters could kill. No sense bankrupting the WYG&F, with some thing they didn't ask for!

According to an A.P. article in The Idaho Statesman, today (Sun. 18th), "The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is refusing to take the (Canadian) gray wolf off the list of endangered species in NEVADA, even though agency biologists acknowledge the animals have been extinct in the state for decades."

"And despite the arid nature of most of the state, conservationists say there are significants parts of Nevada that someday could again support the creatures that once stretched across most of North American."

Soooo.... don't you Nevada hunters, ranchers, and farmers worry. You're going to be blessed with Canadian gray wolves, just as all the western states are, or soon shall be.

Ain't it just gonna be the most wonderful thing!!

L.W.

quote:

Ain't it just gonna be the most wonderful thing!!L.W.

No kidding!

Enjoy,
Brent

quote:

Originally posted by Turman:
Heck from what I understand the elk in the west face a bigger problem than wolves, IT`S DEVELOPEMENT! More elk will be lost over the next 30 years to the bulldozer and shopping mall than the wolves could ever eat. Just watch as more people choose to live out west. City floks will buy up the best land, post it and then lobby for no hunting. It`s something that has been happening in the east for 20 years and it`s happening more and more in the west. The wolf won`t be the downfall of elk, developement will. Just wondering Kudo if wolves were removed from the lower 48 whats next on your dance card, Griz?

Good point.

The Griz is up for complete delisting, maybe we can shoot a few soon! But with bleeding hearts like on here I doubt any will ever be hunted and kept under control.

It is always interesting that people who don't live here, make the decisions! When it is none of their concern! Wolves! And the hunters that love them!

quote:

Ain't it just gonna be the most wonderful thing!!

[quote]quote:
Ain't it just gonna be the most wonderful thing!!L.W.


No kidding!

Enjoy,
Brent


When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996 [quote]



Leanwolf your sarcasim just gave Ol Brent a woody! He thought you were serious! He is a minority among hunters but a majority with the limp wristed, a boy is a dog, is cat, is wolf, is fish, is a bird, is a worm, thought process! And anyone that advocates lead in the air in hopes of hitting some thing needs to hang it up! I bet ol brentski already ordered his DVD copy of Brokeback Mountain! Just so you know, it was filmed in Canada! So take your cowboy hat and go north eh!

In at least three public meetings and forums in the last couple of years, that included Wolf lovers, game wardens, Wolf state program directors and other concerned Big Game Hunters I have repeatedly offered to PAY the state of Montana or the Federal Government $500.00 CASH to let me use my time and my effort to shoot ONE (1) of the "problem Wolves" that they pay to send helicopters and squads of highly paid government types out to shoot and then let go to waste!
Further I have promised to have the Wolf that I PAY THEM to harvest, full body mounted and the skull processed by a taxidermist (Dermastid Beatled) as well! Thus sending even more dollars into local economies!
My cash offers all fell on deaf and "green" ears!
Makes me wonder - the Wolves are creating problems EVERYWHERE they get overly populated and our government agencies scamper around treating the symptoms (when they can!) and completely dance around the main issue!
We now have AT LEAST THREE (3) TIMES more Wolves than was the greenies goal in the beginning!
It makes one wonder if in fact a concerned Big Game Hunter or cattle, sheep or horse owner should take matters into their own hands and commit certain acts of "civil disobediance"???
S.S.S.!?!?
Thanks for NOTHING rmef!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

State to proceed with lawsuit over wolf management plan
Associated Press

CHEYENNE -- Wyoming officials say they will proceed with a lawsuit against the federal government over its rejection of the state's wolf management plan.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal met Thursday with Paul Hoffman, the Interior Department's deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks. The governor said after the meeting he sees no sincere effort by the federal government to compromise with the state.

"I think this is all D.C. politics, not biology," Freudenthal said.


Freudenthal said the meeting convinced him that federal officials won't budge on their view of the minimum number of wolf packs that the state or federal government should be responsible for maintaining in Wyoming if the animals are removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act.

"Basically, their position hasn't changed from what it was," Freudenthal said. "It's not really clear why he came out."

Wyoming's plan calls for the state to manage at least seven wolf packs outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. But the U.S. Department of Interior says it wants the state to maintain at least 15 packs regardless whether they're inside or outside the parks.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials have said they're concerned Wyoming's plan would have allowed wolves that wandered beyond the greater Yellowstone area to be shot with little regulation. The federal government rejected Wyoming's proposed plan in January 2004.

Wyoming sued last year over the plan's rejection. A federal judge in Cheyenne dismissed the lawsuit in March, saying the federal government had not violated the Endangered Species Act by rejecting Wyoming's plan because the rejection didn't change wolves' status under the act. The state has appealed that decision.

Federal officials have suggested that the state consider legislation in the 2006 budget session to alter the state's wolf plan. They have sought legislation requiring more state-regulated hunting of wolves.

House Speaker Randall Luthi, R-Freedom, said he doubts any wolf legislation will be heard in the coming session, particularly as long as questions exist regarding the number of packs that Wyoming would be responsible for protecting.

"I don't think it would get enough votes to be introduced unless that issue is settled," Luthi said.

Proposal to delist wolf awaited in '06
By MIKE STARK
Of The Gazette Staff

The Bush administration plans on proposing early next year that federal protections be lifted from gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The proposal presumably will include wolves in Montana and Idaho, but federal officials are less clear about wolves in Wyoming.

"That would be predecisional for me to answer that," Paul Hoffman, the Interior Department's deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, said Tuesday.

The Interior Department and the state of Wyoming have been at loggerheads for years about the best way to manage wolves when they are taken off the endangered species list.




Including 3 states

It's possible that all three states could be included in the initial proposal to delist, but before a final version is approved, Wyoming would have to change its management plan, Hoffman said.

Hoffman met with Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal and other state officials last week to discuss ways to end the stalemate. He suggested that Wyoming consider a licensed hunt that, in certain places, could be managed "for zero wolves."

Despite the meeting last week, Freudenthal spokeswoman Lara Azar said Tuesday that the governor continues to stand behind the state's plan.

The most controversial part of that plan would allow unregulated killing of wolves that wander out of national parks or specified wilderness areas as a way to keep wolves out of places where they're not wanted.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials have objected to that idea, saying it doesn't do enough to guarantee a sustainable population in the state. Hoffman said Wyoming's plan probably wouldn't hold up in court, which would mean more litigation and delays in handing management responsibilities over to the three states.



Legal standards

"We have certain legal requirements, certain legal standards, and to ignore those standards is at our own peril," said Hoffman, the former head of the Chamber of Commerce in Cody, Wyo., and an opponent of the wolf reintroduction program in the 1990s.

Despite the disagreement with Wyoming, Interior officials said they plan to release delisting plans for wolves in the Northern Rockies and the Great Lakes states "as early as possible" in 2006.

That news comes on the heels of a decision Friday not to appeal two federal court rulings earlier this year that cast doubt on Interior's plan for delisting wolves.

In February, a federal judge in Portland, Ore., struck down a 2003 Bush administration rule that relaxed protections for certain wolves by changing the status from "endangered" to "threatened."

U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones also said the administration was wrong to claim that a recovered wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountains was sufficient to declare a viable wolf population in the western United States.

Representatives of six states met with Interior officials in August and urged them to focus more on finding ways to delist wolves rather than fighting the court rulings.

"We agree that pursuing litigation may not be the most productive path," said Carolyn Sime, who runs the wolf program for Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Montana and Idaho have already been given more management responsibility for wolves, but both states are intent on taking over full responsibility.

To that end, Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne wrote a letter in October asking Interior Secretary Gale Norton to consider delisting wolves in their states rather than waiting until the dispute with Wyoming was resolved.

Hoffman said that proposal is still under consideration.

Few details about the coming delisting proposal were available Tuesday. Hoffman said the Interior Department would draw up a new "distinct population segment" in the Northern Rockies and then propose lifting protections for wolves within those boundaries.

I wish we could get red wolves reestablished in VA and MD. It might be the only way to thin these whitetail by half. There, I've said it out loud, and I'll feel better for it.

holzauge,

You can have some of ours, not the smaller red wolf but, the huge 130 pound Canadian wolf.

These wolves remind me of other non-native species that were introduced to the U.S. like sparrows and starlings that are killing Bluebirds or competing for nesting sites.

This big brutes are not the same 75pd brush wolf that I've read was in yellowstone.

I agree with others that if they leave the park, they should be removed and sent to VA, MD and New York.

Move this back to the front page.
Here's an article about a plan for wolves that Idaho is thinking about from the Boise paper.



http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID...IDOUT/601120353/1059

I wish Wyoming would get their collective heads out of their collective asses and get a management plan that USF&WS will approve so we can get the wolf delisted. Then maybe before I die of old age I will be abe to hunt a wolf in my home state.

465H&H