Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Kokanee on 11-09-09
Way to go Wyoming I hope they stick to their guns. I only wish Montana had done the same.!! We would not have this trouble now.
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By wendyo1 on 11-10-09
One wonders what the heck the last wolf you encountered did to you to want to kill it!? Or, is it just that you don’t like wolves, and if not why? They are a symbol of America and all that is free about it.
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By Kokanee on 11-10-09
It has never been about the wolves as much as it is about special interest groups. When they decided they should bring wolves back into Idaho,Wyoming and Montana there had already been a documented established pack in glacier. At this time I was fortunate enough to be able to hunt two of these states most of the season I personally witnessed wolves in the Selkirks in north Idaho, Yaak river and the Idaho Montana in the Bitterroots. This of course was over several years and many foot and horse miles. Left alone these wolves would have spread on an even keel. The transition would have been natural,prey and predator would have been more balanced. They would not have been so widespread as they are now, the birthrate would not have been explosive.They were already protected under the endangered species act. Yes there would have been poaching but maybe less than there is now. A lot of sportsmen felt betrayed by the state of Montana for ushering these animals in with open arms after all of the hard work and license dollars that went into establishing some of the healthiest herds in the west. Too have someone tell you that they are going to take the states animals and feed them to the wolves,cut quotas back in areas that have higher depredation by predators is a bit much to take all at once. They could have gone the gradual route and allowed for assimilation but they did not. Once the target goal of 75 breeding pairs was established for three years in a row. States and the USFW were to collaborate to manage the growing numbers. Then special interest groups filed suit saying the numbers originally agreed upon were not sufficient enough to allow for genetic diversity. The same playbook they have used over and over such as the grizz and so on.
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By Kokanee on 11-10-09
So to finish my tirade it is not about the wolves it is about being forced by the special interest groups to accept something many did not want. After the monies started rolling in for studies and such many bought even further into this grand experiment. With Wyoming being the exception they have done their best to stave off infringements by the federal govt at the behest of powerful lobbyists such as defenders of wildlife and such. Due to lack and unnatural movements of prey base resident predators are having a tough time competing pushing them into more confrontations with man. The recent grizz encounters come to mind with a smattering of close calls with lions so far this year. So to sum this up in my opinion, To alleviate the guilt of our forefathers wiping out most of the native species, this wonderful wolf was brought back to a hostile environment ,his prey base of millions of buffalo no longer here has to compete with man for food and space, is shot at and killed by ranchers unethical sportsmen and just plain murdered. How great does that make you feel.
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By Kokanee on 11-11-09
After thought. To boot these are not even the species of wolf that inhabited this area not to say they did not stray down from the north but by all historical accounts these wolves are much bigger. We had a species of wolf that followed the buffalo and elk on the prairie’s and plains not hunters of the forest and mountains. These wolves are designed for deep snow our elk and deer bunch up in the winter. These wolves are able to decimate and harass these herds at will. How is this good for the environment.???
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Comments on: Wyoming Makes Argument for Managing Gray Wolves
Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Kokanee on 11-09-09
Way to go Wyoming I hope they stick to their guns. I only wish Montana had done the same.!! We would not have this trouble now.
By wendyo1 on 11-10-09
One wonders what the heck the last wolf you encountered did to you to want to kill it!? Or, is it just that you don’t like wolves, and if not why? They are a symbol of America and all that is free about it.
By Kokanee on 11-10-09
It has never been about the wolves as much as it is about special interest groups. When they decided they should bring wolves back into Idaho,Wyoming and Montana there had already been a documented established pack in glacier. At this time I was fortunate enough to be able to hunt two of these states most of the season I personally witnessed wolves in the Selkirks in north Idaho, Yaak river and the Idaho Montana in the Bitterroots. This of course was over several years and many foot and horse miles. Left alone these wolves would have spread on an even keel. The transition would have been natural,prey and predator would have been more balanced. They would not have been so widespread as they are now, the birthrate would not have been explosive.They were already protected under the endangered species act. Yes there would have been poaching but maybe less than there is now. A lot of sportsmen felt betrayed by the state of Montana for ushering these animals in with open arms after all of the hard work and license dollars that went into establishing some of the healthiest herds in the west. Too have someone tell you that they are going to take the states animals and feed them to the wolves,cut quotas back in areas that have higher depredation by predators is a bit much to take all at once. They could have gone the gradual route and allowed for assimilation but they did not. Once the target goal of 75 breeding pairs was established for three years in a row. States and the USFW were to collaborate to manage the growing numbers. Then special interest groups filed suit saying the numbers originally agreed upon were not sufficient enough to allow for genetic diversity. The same playbook they have used over and over such as the grizz and so on.
By Kokanee on 11-10-09
So to finish my tirade it is not about the wolves it is about being forced by the special interest groups to accept something many did not want. After the monies started rolling in for studies and such many bought even further into this grand experiment. With Wyoming being the exception they have done their best to stave off infringements by the federal govt at the behest of powerful lobbyists such as defenders of wildlife and such. Due to lack and unnatural movements of prey base resident predators are having a tough time competing pushing them into more confrontations with man. The recent grizz encounters come to mind with a smattering of close calls with lions so far this year. So to sum this up in my opinion, To alleviate the guilt of our forefathers wiping out most of the native species, this wonderful wolf was brought back to a hostile environment ,his prey base of millions of buffalo no longer here has to compete with man for food and space, is shot at and killed by ranchers unethical sportsmen and just plain murdered. How great does that make you feel.
By Kokanee on 11-11-09
After thought. To boot these are not even the species of wolf that inhabited this area not to say they did not stray down from the north but by all historical accounts these wolves are much bigger. We had a species of wolf that followed the buffalo and elk on the prairie’s and plains not hunters of the forest and mountains. These wolves are designed for deep snow our elk and deer bunch up in the winter. These wolves are able to decimate and harass these herds at will. How is this good for the environment.???