Catron Co.,NM declares state of emergency...wolves.

[hank4elk]

Local news this evening had a spot on Catron County,NM declaring a State Of Emergency at this Thurs. County Commish meeting regarding wolves.
125 cattle lost last year and not much help from USFW. The county has hired biologist to help ranchers and is out $150k in funds.
They mention many sightings near kids & ranches & homes. Pets attacked.

I know a few who have lost stock.
I have only seen 1 in 16 years near me.
Saw a pack kill an elk calf 12 years ago, pretty gruesome.

 

[Schaaf]

 

[Nick87]

Mexican Grey wolves correct?

 

[SAJ-99]

Local news this evening had a spot on Catron County,NM declaring a State Of Emergency at this Thurs. County Commish meeting regarding wolves.
125 cattle lost last year and not much help from USFW. The county has hired biologist to help ranchers and is out $150k in funds.
They mention many sightings near kids & ranches & homes. Pets attacked.

I know a few who have lost stock.
I have only seen 1 in 16 years near me.
Saw a pack kill an elk calf 12 years ago, pretty gruesome.

I saw 4 when I was down there a couple of years ago. The cattle must have been calves because the wolves aren't very big. Washington is realizing the same...you want wolves you have to pay the price.

 

[D_Walt]

Mexican Grey wolves correct?

Los Lobos…

 

[Nick87]

Los Lobos…

 

[Treeshark]

125 cattle lost last year and not much help from USFW.

Why would the USFW do anything? Wildlife management should be a state issue.

 

[BuzzH]

Why would the USFW do anything? Wildlife management should be a state issue.

Wolves under the ESA aren't a state issue.

 

[Sytes]

Have they attacked humans? Yes. Is it far and few, mostly though the incidents are increasing the more humans encroach
into apex territory. To the extent the government of Alaska shares the following:

Living With Wolves, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

www.adfg.alaska.gov

Attached pdf of alaska.gov study referenced in their linked information above.

Many MT, ID, WY outdoors people have encountered wolves in one form or another.
I was less than 10 feet from one and didn't have an ounce of fear, to the extent I was trying to pull my phone from my chest bino pounch to record as we starred at each other. Right next to my bino pouch is my attached holster. Not a thought entered my mind to go for my gun.
I've also been archery hunting in/along the Saphire wilderness area with my hunt buddy and found ourselves surrounded by wolves howling/barking. That gave me the cold run up the spine.
Buddies hunting along Dixon - Thompson area north of Missoula found themselves surrounded by a pack of wolves as they were prepping an elk for packout. Fired shots which spooked them off a bit yet they returned.
They're tough sob hunters that are dedicated LEOs. Made their way, packed with elk, back to the truck a few miles away. Said it was flipping eerie as the wolves sounded off while they hiked out along a trail, unable to see except for the occasional catch of reflective eyes from their headlamps.
They always carry wolf tags now. Not for the interest to take wolves, but to shoot them without concern for administrative paid leave until determined if justified for shooting the farkers.

Long story summarized, I love solo hunting the Bob, Ten Lakes, Cabinets, Saphines, along with other wolf populated areas and have had my fair share of incidents far beyond what I shared above. I'm not overly concerned though I do respect their capabilities.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Why would the USFW do anything? Wildlife management should be a state issue.

Exactly…..like we have been told 147574748 times on here. Lol

 

[Treeshark]

Wildlife good/makes money= state owned resource.

Wildlife bad/costs money= federal problem.

 

[hank4elk]

View attachment 366328

Mexican Grey wolves correct?

Correct,"Mexican Grey".
Introduced.
Probably from rescue farms.
Ask Josh Brolin about his mom...
There were several near me in SLO county, CA.

US Fish & Wildlife are the defense team. They are tasked with identifying kills and compensating ranchers.
The only ones who can dispense one legally. They also can track a dead one and are pretty good at finding the shooter. Chips.

Small compared to Northern Grey wolves. Think coyotes on steroids. 100lbs +?
They can breed with coyotes and dogs, or so I have been told.

Late night news had one wolf found dead north of US 40 . Mt. Taylor area. Possible fine of $150,000.

Wonder if it was the same female who has been found north of US 40 several times and relocated again to the Gila?

The original deal with AZ & NM G&F was they would be kept south of US 40 & west of US 25.
Now they travel outside the release area regularly. Kaibab, Jemez, Cibola forest.

Rancher lady & friend out on the Plains of San Augustine has lost 8 head of cattle, or more. Can't get payments.
Had a run in with F&W, pulled a gun, I hear, and G&F called county law.

County sheriff does not deal with USDA-FS nor USF&W issues anymore...too many.
So the county will call an emergency for coverage.

Dodged a bullet literally from my rancher friend. No weapon fired. She is one tough gal.

The emoji is apt...most likely a neighbor will run off with the wife or daughter........LOL

 

[ccc23454]

Simply NM ranchers seen those CO wolf damage checks and decided we want those! It's always money...

 

[hank4elk]

NMG&F has been overloaded with the issue. No staff. Their job. Or Not their job?

Sheriff has been overloaded with FS and wolf issues. Not their job.
Hence the declaration.

They deal with 6th gen. ranchers like my friend and the newbies.

I am not concerned outside of Dotti. And she is learning to deal with coyotes.
I always watch my 6. Lions and bears. I trust neither.

 

[hank4elk]

Simply NM ranchers seen those CO wolf damage checks and decided we want those! It's always money...

BS.
Ranchers were told they would be compensated 20 years ago when this started.
Before any talk of CO wolves on the interweb.
And different wolves.

 

[hank4elk]

From what I have gathered there were no wolves in Northern NM,AZ nor in Southern CO. Historically.
Mexican Greys in southern NM, AZ.
Northern wolves, now called greys too, never ventured south into desert country.

Pretty sure I heard a podcast from Randy on wolves and this was discussed.
The 2 breeds do not crossbreed and the Northern would just wipe out any smaller wolf.

Mexican greys cross with coyotes & dogs.

 

[RG300]

Have they attacked humans? Yes. Is it far and few, mostly though the incidents are increasing the more humans encroach
into apex territory. To the extent the government of Alaska shares the following:

Living With Wolves, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

www.adfg.alaska.gov

Attached pdf of alaska.gov study referenced in their linked information above.

Many MT, ID, WY outdoors people have encountered wolves in one form or another.
I was less than 10 feet from one and didn't have an ounce of fear, to the extent I was trying to pull my phone from my chest bino pounch to record as we starred at each other. Right next to my bino pouch is my attached holster. Not a thought entered my mind to go for my gun.
I've also been archery hunting in/along the Saphire wilderness area with my hunt buddy and found ourselves surrounded by wolves howling/barking. That gave me the cold run up the spine.
Buddies hunting along Dixon - Thompson area north of Missoula found themselves surrounded by a pack of wolves as they were prepping an elk for packout. Fired shots which spooked them off a bit yet they returned.
They're tough sob hunters that are dedicated LEOs. Made their way, packed with elk, back to the truck a few miles away. Said it was flipping eerie as the wolves sounded off while they hiked out along a trail, unable to see except for the occasional catch of reflective eyes from their headlamps.
They always carry wolf tags now. Not for the interest to take wolves, but to shoot them without concern for administrative paid leave until determined if justified for shooting the farkers.

Long story summarized, I love solo hunting the Bob, Ten Lakes, Cabinets, Saphines, along with other wolf populated areas and have had my fair share of incidents far beyond what I shared above. I'm not overly concerned though I do respect their capabilities.

I think the op's point is not wolf/human interaction but the affect the wolves are having on ranchers/farmers & hunters, i.e. leaving less quarry for hunters & costing ranchers- farmers livestock & livelihood.
Wolves are not particularly kind when hungry & I would not want to be around if they turn desperate.

 

[hank4elk]

I think the op's point is not wolf/human interaction but the affect the wolves are having on ranchers/farmers & hunters, i.e. leaving less quarry for hunters & costing ranchers- farmers livestock & livelihood.
Wolves are not particularly kind when hungry & I would not want to be around if they turn desperate.

Again,small wolf.
I have killed larger wild dogs.
The County is up playing the kids and all. There have been wolf cages at the bus stops for 20 years.

Less elk & deer in the Gila,my observation. Too many tags? Wolves?
Free range cattle and losses. Full grown & calves.
No range riders, my observation. Free range.
Not so free.

Ella was the name of the wolf killed. Well known. Again on the news this morning.

No mention of the county plans since 1st reported 2 days ago.

Local ranchers pretty much hate elk. Wildlife. Until the season starts and $ pours in. My observation.
The meeting will be interesting. I might just show.

Same with the G&F commish meeting in Reserve in Aug. That is a must see.

The old saying "You can't have it both ways" applies.
Overload and under fund.
We are living it across the country now.

 

[BigHornRam]

Here's a link to your local news story, @hank4elk .

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/catron-county-could-declare-state-of-emergency-over-mexican-grey-wolf-population/

 

[BigHornRam]

"The commission meeting will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Catron County Courtroom. KRQE News 13 reached out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for comment on the state of emergency proposal, but have not heard back."

Nesvik should be appointed soon as the USFWS head and your county will get better support from their department when that happens, Hank.

Former Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik continues confirmation process - Powell Tribune

Former Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director and Wyoming National Guard Brigadier General Brian Nesvik is moving through the confirmation process with heartfelt endorsements from some of the …

www.powelltribune.com