Animal rights activists continue working tirelessly against hunters, often times with self serving blinders on. Given the multitude of issues at hand caused by the reintroduction of wolves, I find it mind numbing that we continue to be led astray by federal wildlife agencies and their antics. Take for instance where consideration is being taking to introduce wolves into the Baca and Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. The Baca, a mere 80,000 acre refuge system, is considering wolves as a management tool for their over populating elk herd…are they NUTS? Do they really believe that these wolves are going to be well mannered neighbors, only taking what they can eat, and not roaming? Perhaps these federal bureaucrats have dawned their timely blinders with the west’s current four legged transient that continues to be in the western regions spotlight, tagged as OR-7, originally from Oregon. This Apex Predator left his pack in Oregon last fall, wandering into California’s northern region by the end of December.
Just last week OR-7 came as close as 15 miles away from Nevada’s border sparking attention from Nevada’s wildlife officials. The California media has given so much attention to this wandering lone wolf, that he has become a celebrity of sorts, known in the news as “Journey”. With all the attention he has drawn, some folks are quoted as deeming this wandering adventurer as “romantic”…ROMANTIC? Perhaps a photo is in order to illustrate just how far from romantic these K-9 killing machines are.

To the distant northeast, in Michigan, the locals have been forced for nearly forty years to deal with the aftermath of these ravenous killers that prey on their livestock. Michigan’s upper Peninsula hosts a wolf population of over 600. Can you imagine how many animals it takes to withstand those kind of numbers? To the left is a graph showing Michigan’s wolf population and it’s growth over the last 15 years. Estimated at only 20 animals in 1992, the upper Peninsula wolf population had grown to approximately 687 during the winter of 2010-2011 – an all-time high since the population began to recover in the early 1990s.

Now, with the recent D-listing of wolves, the state wildlife agency is now faced with managing these wolves in Michigan. Brian Roell, a biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said, ” We want to show that we are capable of managing a healthy wolf population”. As a part of the D-listing of wolves there in Michigan, ranchers and livestock owners will now have the right to kill attacking wolves.

GreenBayPressGazette.com Article, Farmers eager to kill attacking wolves

Read Article>>> CLICK HERE

With the increased numbers of wolves within the surrounding states, dog predation has become a reality. Here is a real eye-grabbing-read: Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources has this link posted on their website so that public may be aware of potential threats to dogs by wolves.

Dogs Depredated by Wolves in Wisconsin-2011>>> CLICK HERE

So now that we have a greater understanding that wolves have a sever impact upon local ranchers as well as the states big game, why then would we introduce them into a tiny 80,000 acre refuge system in Colorado, believing that this time things might be different?

Further south, Arizona and New Mexico wildlife officials struggle to find a means of managing the areas mexican gray wolf population of fifty. These “50” wolves has these two states demographically barren states on the ropes? Consider the potential for issues on an 80,000 acre parcel.

Another full page article, full of issues caused by these so called romantic creatures. In short, look at the capital that is lost or has to be spent, and at who’s expense it comes.

The Washington Examiner reports this story on Tuesday, January 31:
Wolves senses tapped to keep them clear of cattle.
Read more>>>. CLICK HERE

In closing this weeks review on wolves, how can we even consider allowing these apex predators to propagate and freely cause so much destruction? The view of the animal rights groups has become so obscured, and their rational so dysfunctional…I have to ask, have we lost our minds?

Carl B. Taylor

While some California residents are showing excitement about the prospects of lone wolf OR-7 wandering into northern California from Oregon, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month removed wolves  from the federal endangered species list, De-listing them in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Starting Friday, these three states will begin managing their wolf populations on their own.

TMJ4 article: DNR To Allow Hunting of Wolves Next Week.

Read More>>>CLICK HERE

While wolf numbers have grown enough to allow this De-listing, Wisconsin state Department of Natural Resources is telling landowners they can start hunting problem wolves next week. In another story in California, Patrick Valentino of the California Wolf Center was quoted as saying “Historically and statistically there’s no evidence of wolves being a threat to people.  He goes on to say that there are only two known wolf attacks in the past 100 years in the U.S. or Canada.

With the idea that wolves do not have a history of “being a threat to people”, in Wallace, Idaho this story line hit the  mainstream media:   “A possible wolf attack in North Idaho has left one dog dead and some neighbors on edge.”

KXLY reporter writes this story.

Read more>>>CLICK HERE

Last week, Oregon wildlife officials believe a wolf was responsible for killing a mule. “This is the first we’ve had a probable for anything like a mule or horse,” said Michelle Dennehy of Salem, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Oregonlive.com reporter writes:  Wolf probably killed mule near Joseph, state wildlife officials believe

Read More>>>CLICK HERE

There is compelling evidence that suggests that as wolves continue to  increase in numbers and range, they are having a significant impact on the local wildlife and cattle.   Now, several chapters later in this wolf debacle it is acceptable for these wolves to attack backyard pets?  How can we be so blind as to allow these ranging predators to freely roam, destroying various wildlife populations that conservationist have worked tirelessly to restore?  Moreover, this all seems to suggest the notion that wolves are far more important than our public safety and the cattleman’s means of livelihood.  Left unchecked, this paradigm is beyond my comprehension.

Reading from KXLY’s report, The following quote has to be the most mindless statement I think I have read on the subject of wolves and their De-listing…(referring to the Wallace resident’s rottweiler that was attacked and killed in their back yard).  “I think the key thing for people to think about is to keep their dogs confined,” said Cooper. “If your dog is confined in a building or kennel they are less vulnerable to attack from other dogs and wolves.”…..REALLY???  So in other words, this attacks are to be accepted as something that could happen again?  What will be said when a “Janie Homeowner” goes out to see what the ruckus is in her backyard and she is mauled are killed?  Is this threat not eminent?   However, Cooper also said it’s legal in Idaho to shoot a wolf if it’s threatening you, your family, livestock or pets.

The subject of wolves and their propagation continues to stir controversy at every level.  As each of us form an opinion “for” or “against” the presence of these wolves, has society stooped to the point where forcing  our personal beliefs from afar and the many consequences coming at the personal expense of others, be socially acceptable?

Carl B Taylor

Gray Wolf tagged as OR-7 has wandered from Oregon into the eastern portion of Shasta County, his presence being captured by a deer hunters trail cam, and his wanderings confirmed by radio telemetry. OR-7’s has put on 800 miles since his leaving wolf pack Imnaha, where it is believes he is on the move in search of a female. OR-7’s presence is being closely monitored.