Well, after making the big mistake of thinking our wolf seasons would be around forever and casually considering a wolf hunt during our last season in 2009, I am not taking it so casually this time around.
Many of you on this website were very involved in the wolf delisting process that occured this spring in MT and ID. As was I. Now, I intend to reap a few rewards of all the hard work that went into that process.
CritterGetter and I have blocked out the next five days to go and film a public land, self-guided WOLF hunt here in Montana. Can't believe I am typing that without worry of going to jail.
Critter has been scouting diligently while I was in Kansas. I have been working on my calling and he has been practicing his howling. Between us, I hope we can bring one to the lens and show that wolves are a worthy big game species.
Yes, I intend to eat one if we kill one. Just seems like the right thing to do.
For all of you who have helped with this delisting process, "This one's for you." So many obstacles were against that effort that it took a lot of political pressure to bring this to reality. And, it is still not completed in the courts.
We all know of the wing nut groups who we expected would be a deterent to delisting. Then, to have two supposed hunter groups working behind the scene to try kill the wolf hunts we are now having in MT and ID, well I best not say what I am really thinking. Suffice to say, "This one's NOT for you." Thanks for nothing.
For both of those groups, it was about the money. The wolf was more profitable than their most optimistic projections could have ever shown. Like most things in life, if you want to know where the group will stand on an issue, just follow where their money comes from.
But, enough of that. This is a celebration of the struggle it has taken to show that wolves can exist on our landscapes, IF MANAGED TO A LEVEL THAT RESPECTS LOCAL CONCERNS. That large predators can also be part of the wildlife management equation that has restored wildlife by conserving habitat. Wolves now, and hopefully someday, the ever expanding grizzly bear population.
We are going to be giving live updates each day, as connections allow. Will tell you what is working and what is not working. Telling of the kind of areas we are seeing wolf sign and where we are not. And hopefully, when it is all done, showing you how one wolf (maybe two) has become a TV star.
I am so thankful to be on a network that will allow me to air a wolf hunt. Our previous network would not, part of the reason I did not pursue them with as much vigor in 2009. Thanks Sportsman Channel!
Our sponsors think this is great. They do not shy away from the history that has got us here - science based management of all species, funded by their customers, the hunters of America. No apologies by them and none from me.
As part of that, Howa is putting together a link to celebrate this hunt whereby anyone who signs up for a 2012 Howa catalog will be put in a drawing for a brand new Howa Snow Camo rifle package. All you will need to do is sign up for the catalog and you are in. I will be posting that link in the next day or two.
Wish us luck. After the way my season has gone, I will need all the luck I can get. I am hoping it is cold enough that Critter and his grizzly attractant will not bring a big silvertip to our calls.
If we don't get one in the five days of filming, I plan to hunt them every day I can, until season closes or the quota is filled. Very exciting.
Many of you on this website were very involved in the wolf delisting process that occured this spring in MT and ID. As was I. Now, I intend to reap a few rewards of all the hard work that went into that process.
CritterGetter and I have blocked out the next five days to go and film a public land, self-guided WOLF hunt here in Montana. Can't believe I am typing that without worry of going to jail.
Critter has been scouting diligently while I was in Kansas. I have been working on my calling and he has been practicing his howling. Between us, I hope we can bring one to the lens and show that wolves are a worthy big game species.
Yes, I intend to eat one if we kill one. Just seems like the right thing to do.
For all of you who have helped with this delisting process, "This one's for you." So many obstacles were against that effort that it took a lot of political pressure to bring this to reality. And, it is still not completed in the courts.
We all know of the wing nut groups who we expected would be a deterent to delisting. Then, to have two supposed hunter groups working behind the scene to try kill the wolf hunts we are now having in MT and ID, well I best not say what I am really thinking. Suffice to say, "This one's NOT for you." Thanks for nothing.
For both of those groups, it was about the money. The wolf was more profitable than their most optimistic projections could have ever shown. Like most things in life, if you want to know where the group will stand on an issue, just follow where their money comes from.
But, enough of that. This is a celebration of the struggle it has taken to show that wolves can exist on our landscapes, IF MANAGED TO A LEVEL THAT RESPECTS LOCAL CONCERNS. That large predators can also be part of the wildlife management equation that has restored wildlife by conserving habitat. Wolves now, and hopefully someday, the ever expanding grizzly bear population.
We are going to be giving live updates each day, as connections allow. Will tell you what is working and what is not working. Telling of the kind of areas we are seeing wolf sign and where we are not. And hopefully, when it is all done, showing you how one wolf (maybe two) has become a TV star.
I am so thankful to be on a network that will allow me to air a wolf hunt. Our previous network would not, part of the reason I did not pursue them with as much vigor in 2009. Thanks Sportsman Channel!
Our sponsors think this is great. They do not shy away from the history that has got us here - science based management of all species, funded by their customers, the hunters of America. No apologies by them and none from me.
As part of that, Howa is putting together a link to celebrate this hunt whereby anyone who signs up for a 2012 Howa catalog will be put in a drawing for a brand new Howa Snow Camo rifle package. All you will need to do is sign up for the catalog and you are in. I will be posting that link in the next day or two.
Wish us luck. After the way my season has gone, I will need all the luck I can get. I am hoping it is cold enough that Critter and his grizzly attractant will not bring a big silvertip to our calls.
If we don't get one in the five days of filming, I plan to hunt them every day I can, until season closes or the quota is filled. Very exciting.