Wolves are dispersing

[BrentD]

I believe I read that paper a while back, but perhaps I'm remembering a different one.

In any event, it was surprising because it was not Bears that killed the most. Bears are notorious calf/fawn killers. That aside, killing calves and fawns may not add up to much of anything if most of them will die anyway. In general, juvenile mortality can be huge and still the population grows.

I don't think anyone disputes that wolves have lowered elk populations. Everyone expected it and predicted it and wanted it (except hunters). There can be too much of a good thing, after all. But whether the numbers of mature elk and particularly bulls (since this discussion is all about hunting), reduced most by lions, tigers, bears or wolves is really hard to say. Not even the "experts" know with great confidence. Certainly, the general public (including hunters) don't know, and yet, there is all this animosity towards wolves that does not exist for bears and lions. I find that just plain odd. It doesn't matter what the real numbers are, even if we could know them with 100% confidence, wolves generate more hate than any animal this side of a mosquito.

 

[tjones]

. It doesn't matter what the real numbers are, even if we could know them with 100% confidence, wolves generate more hate than any animal this side of a mosquito.

Yellow jackets, don't forget the damn yellow jacket.

 

[BrentD]

Yellow jackets, don't forget the damn yellow jacket.

Damn, you're right! Yellow Jackets - scourge of the West, and Midwest, and East, and EVERYWHERE.

 

[3855WIN]

I believe I read that paper a while back, but perhaps I'm remembering a different one.

In any event, it was surprising because it was not Bears that killed the most. Bears are notorious calf/fawn killers. That aside, killing calves and fawns may not add up to much of anything if most of them will die anyway. In general, juvenile mortality can be huge and still the population grows.

I don't think anyone disputes that wolves have lowered elk populations. Everyone expected it and predicted it and wanted it (except hunters). There can be too much of a good thing, after all. But whether the numbers of mature elk and particularly bulls (since this discussion is all about hunting), reduced most by lions, tigers, bears or wolves is really hard to say. Not even the "experts" know with great confidence. Certainly, the general public (including hunters) don't know, and yet, there is all this animosity towards wolves that does not exist for bears and lions. I find that just plain odd. It doesn't matter what the real numbers are, even if we could know them with 100% confidence, wolves generate more hate than any animal this side of a mosquito.

I think the dislike for wolves comes from wolves being crammed down the throats of some states, then those states not being allowed to manage those animals until recently.

 

[smarandr]

https://youtu.be/TkSo22X48as?t=6m

An estimated 32 million elk and bears are killed every day by wolves

https://youtu.be/EmjyPu1UoXI?t=28s

Every year 32,000 people are kidnapped by wolves, never to be heard from again. F****** wolves.

 

[PrairieHunter]

Always interesting to see the emotions these animals bring out in people, including hunters.

 

[BrentD]

I think the dislike for wolves comes from wolves being crammed down the throats of some states, then those states not being allowed to manage those animals until recently.

Naw, wolves have been always hated everywhere. Just like coyotes. Has nothing to do with Federal/State control.

 

[Stretcher_Jockey]

Not if you are a fan of elk

The game in Alaska and BC seem to be doing pretty well despite all the wolves. They obviously have an effect on populations but now that more states are able to manage them as they see fit I feel like the problem is going to lessen as time goes on.

 

[BrentD]

The game in Alaska and BC seem to be doing pretty well despite all the wolves. They obviously have an effect on populations but now that more states are able to manage them as they see fit I feel like the problem is going to lessen as time goes on.

That is a safe bet.

 

[buckbull]

i think alot of the wolf hate is in regards to their behavior of killing animals just to be killing them and not eating them. As predators ourselves we are taught at a young age to never waste game meat. Its not just the ethics of it, but wanton waste laws exist in every state that I know of. Bears and lions don't have the rep of killing to be killing hence only killing what they need to eat.

 

[TheJason]

Damn, you're right! Yellow Jackets - scourge of the West, and Midwest, and East, and EVERYWHERE.

Especially the sumbitch that stung me in the mouth last weekend.

 

[PrairieHunter]

On second thought maybe I am working against myself.

Wyoming elk hunting is horrible and wolves have been spotted in all corners of the state and all major mountain ranges. It's not worth even applying as everything will be downhill from here.

Yep, there is a reason Randy goes to Colorado every year, Colorado is the best bet for NR's looking to find elk. And if it's big elk a person is after Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico are where all the big elk are.

Wyoming is a last resort type of state behind Idaho and Montana.