After being hunted to near-extinction, wolves were reintroduced to the northern Rocky Mountains a decade ago. More than 1,200 now live in the region. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to start removing Federal protections from gray wolves in Montana and Idaho in the next few weeks.
A couple of weeks ago Idaho’s governor, C.L. “Butch” Otter, announced he will support public hunts to kill all but 100 of the state’s gray wolves after the Federal government strips them of protection. Gov. Otter has stated that he wants hunters to kill about 550 gray wolves in his state. That would leave about 100 wolves, or 10 packs, according to a population estimate by State Wildlife officials. The 100 surviving wolves would be the minimum before the animals could again be considered endangered. The wolves are seen as a threat to the state’s big game hunting industry. State Wildlife managers have advised the governor to allow a few more than 100 wolves to survive so they don’t go back on the endangered species list if a few of the 100 should get hit by cars, or fall prey to poisons or harsh winters and the number falls below 100.
If you’d like to get on a petition opposing the hunt, Click here
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Careful there IDAHO, your last paragraph almost sounds like you’re encouraging idiots to speak their mind. Next thing you know you’ll be going rounds with American born again.
I propose we take a moment and evaluate a few statements made by people from the old days, before our fine education was available to all.
“We have the greatest opportunity the world has ever seen, as long as we remain honest — which will be as long as we can keep the attention of our people alive. If they once become inattentive to public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, judges and governors would all become wolves.”
“But, as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.” Thomas Jefferson
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”
“Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you.” Benjamin Franklin
“Although we give lip service to the notion of freedom, we know the government is no longer the servant of the people but, at last has become the people’s master. We have stood by like timid sheep while the wolf killed – first the weak, then the strays, then those on the outer edges of the flock, until at last the entire flock belonged to the wolf.” Gerry Spence
“It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf.” Thomas Paine
“A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.” Bertrand de Jouvenel
And my personal favorite, “Woman, your children would be better off raised by a pack of wolves than by you.” My boss, who got a letter in his personnel file for this statement.
Not sure why all these men compare all that is evil to the wolf. Maybe it’s because they lived at a time when the wolf was just misunderstood. Thank God we are all educated today, now we are capable of really understanding how important the wolf is and why they were wrong in killing them.
ih8crak
Don’t think I am calling you any names. You sound like an intelligent person about the subject at hand. No worries about american born, I will answer no more of his comments.
Stupid:
Ignorance:
The difference between these two words is “ignorance” one just does not have the whole facts about a subject. “stupid” is you have a good understanding of the subject, know better and do your own agenda any way you can.
Just because one does not spell well does not mean they are either.
The rest of what you say I can understand and go along with.
The wolf did not make his own situation. His problem is really a lack of knowledge on the one who hates him. In reality man has made the wolf the bad guy.
What they are doing with the wolf now has caused all the hate, because the people who are real outdoorsmen are seeing a bad balance and the killing of their way of life because of the lack that is happening with the game they hunt.
Now that makes the whole thing sad.
09/21/09
Going cow elk hunting this afternoon. Special hunt on around my place. Just before season started I found a 6×5 with a bunch of cows and calves. See if I can locate them again.Not supposed to be any wolves in this area.
Wheres that? California? :):):)
no, i have land in both Idaho and Washington. This is in Washington
there are wolves in Washington north of where I am, who knows they may be all around me. Who know where they will wee a wolf.
how was my spelling
Is there an educated person who knows the statistics of how many wolves kill people, children, pets, livestock and elk? What is the justification for this wolf hunt? Fear from nursery rhymes like, (the big bad wolf will eat you and blow your house down), is not what justifies this wolf hunt, or is it? Please explain to the world why Idaho and Montana are killing the American Gray Wolf. We are awaiting your intelligent answer!!!!
I have to laugh at all the famous quotes given in this blog but where is your scientific proof? Oh, that is correct there is none. If you want to have all the wolves, deer, and elk runing freely everywhere then I guess we better pack our bags and move out of their habitat, whcih means this country. Oh but then that must apply to everyone but yourself. No one wants to give up their favorite outdoor activities. Elk, deer,etc have been managed by Fish and Game agencies for years based on scientific principles. There are more deer and elk today then at the turn of the century due to game management even though their habitat has been eroded away by man. But go try and hunt deer or elk on the Idaho/Montana border and you won’t get one. They are just about gone due to the wolf. A friend just came back from a hunt there and did not see one elk. I hunted on the border there for years until about three years ago. I only saw two pairs of cow/calf elk. It made me sick. Just so you know I am not a road hunter. I pack in with horses (which now reqires someone to stay with so the wolves don’t attack)and go further on foot in search of game. To you people who support the wolf to just flourish based on emotional prejudices rather than scientic evidence I must say you are fools. Nevada has one, if not the best game management practices in the state. This is because of sound species management, not emotional beliefs. Wolves attack whatever they can. They go after the strong as well as the weak. They are opportunist hunters which makes them so good at being great killing machines. Hunters are not blood thirsty people wanting to eliminate the wolf. They just want proper management of the species. If hunters did want to wip out the wolf, they would have been actively shot and poisoned all these years during their “reintroduction.” As far as “reintroduction” that phrase does not apply when Canadian wolves were transplanted and then wiped out the Timber Wolf which was in these areas.
Two more days and the whole state opens for hunting. I scouted for elk this weekend, and there were no elk, deer, coyotes, and only one sole bear to be found in an area that used to flurish with wildlife. But I did have wolves at night within 1/2 mile of camp – I hope wolves taste like chicken.
I hope that elk become extinct! Kill all the Elk!!! That will show those wolves.
Didn’t you know, guns are for committing suicide. Everyone that owns a gun, aim at your head and pull!!!
Boycott Idaho! They also make WINE so, watch wine labels from Sawtooth Winery in Idaho. I called markets and fast food and many other restaurants asking them not to buy anything from Idaho. McDonalds will not tell me where they buy for their french fry’s so, I told them I will not buy from them. This is going to be a bloodbath starting in 2 days. We will see proud Idaho trophy hunters holding up dead wolves and their haunting smiles, blood dripping on their shoes so proud to be a killer. Idaho needs to be taught a lesson, that there are Americans that will not stand for senseless killing of animals.
Sugar if the elk are gone your next on their dinner table, Kris if it wasn’t for guns you wouldn’t be here, what do you think your ancestors used to feed them selves ( just like we do when we hunt now) and Tim – MCD buys their potatoes from Idaho :) and I do not believe a few tree huggers are going to stop them from buying form Idaho.
It is so much fun watching blissful, tree hugging, save the whale, Subaru driving people get their panties in a bunch over things they dont even understand. I’ll bet all these people that whine about killing wolves – eat beef,pork, chicken,Idaho potatoes,drink our wine, and wear their leather goods.
Farm raised, chemical filled, artificial enhanced foods from thier stores are so much better for you anyway compared to a fair chase hunt.
Wildlife managers say a Columbia Falls hunter has taken in the first wolf from the northern backcounty hunting region.
The first Montana wolf was taken in Bob Marshall Wilderness complex in the upper middle fork of the Flathead River Drainage on Friday the 18th.
:) :) :)
I’ll let you all know when I get my wolf, and if you want to talk about it give me your number and I’ll be happy to have a conversation with you.
Elkhunter
They need a little CHEESE with their WHINE!!!!!
Like your message. They are not going to listen, but it feels good to get it off your chest. Know how you feel.
Tim
Real bright comment. Don’t you have the sense to know that KIDS get on these sites and read these messages? Man, commit suicide was really BAD. Hope no one OFFS themselves from that comment.
New data shows that humpback whale populations have been growing steadily over recent decades, and as a result, the U.S. government may take the humpback whale off the endangered species list.
Read more: http://www.greenpacks.org/2009/09/28/us-may-take-humpback-whale-off-endangered-species-list/#ixzz0SVx4gsUp
I just love to watch blissful, tree hugging, save the whale, Subaru driving people get their panties in a bunch .
Call all your budddies – the whales are need your help!!! :) :) :)
And for the idiot that promotes suicide- a perfect example of his intelegence – DUH :() :()
I just love to watch blissful, tree hugging, save the whale, Subaru driving people get their panties in a bunch.
Like this phrase.
You know I really believe from the way the above people act that if they caught a wolf eating on a person, they would probably beat the person into unconsciousness and help the wolf. They seem to have more respect for animal life than human life.
Now that is just weird and off the chart.Except for the one that wants to kill all the elk. Probably doesn’t even know what one looks like. At least I believe the wolf is a beautifull animal and as far as dogs go. But there is nothing like a nice big Bull Elk and a nicd big Whitetail Buck.
Mike says:
September 24, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Is there an educated person who knows the statistics of how many wolves kill people, children, pets, livestock and elk? What is the justification for this wolf hunt? Fear from nursery rhymes like, (the big bad wolf will eat you and blow your house down), is not what justifies this wolf hunt, or is it? Please explain to the world why Idaho and Montana are killing the American Gray Wolf. We are awaiting your intelligent answer!!!!
Your answer:
After they were nearly wiped out in the lower 48 states, wolves in Idaho were declared endangered in 1974 under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 1987 recovery plan for wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains included reintroducing them in central Idaho in 1995 and 1996.
Since then, Idaho has been involved in wolf management as directed by the Legislature, which in 2002, adopted the Idaho Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. Under the plan Idaho Fish and Game would be responsible for wolf management following delisting.
In February 2005, the Fish and Wildlife Service revised the rules that govern the experimental non-essential population of reintroduced wolves in Idaho south of Interstate 90. The change eased wolf management rules and gave Idaho a greater role in wolf management.
In January 2006, an agreement between Idaho and the U.S. Department of Interior designated the state as an agent for day-to-day wolf management for the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wolves were removed from the endangered species list on May 4, 2009. Idaho Fish and Game has taken over management under 2008 state law, the 2002 wolf management plan and the 2008 Wolf Population Management Plan. Wolves will be managed as big game animals, similar to black bears and mountain lions. Hunting seasons will be set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.
To Kris and all other idiots who think that an Idaho boycott will solve all the problems. Goog f-ing luck! A large majority of potato farmers sign contracts with companies worldwide so a few hypocritical tree huggers are not going to make a difference in our way of life. Answer me this how many times do these state boycotts last more than a few weeks? Never. For example, a few months ago there was a situation with the gay community and the state of Utah aka The Hate State, they were going to boycott all Utah products but oddly enough a week later you just never heard anything else about it. Good luck with this boycott but I for one am confident that like most controversial matters this will blow over and not one Idaho citizen will even be effected.
My bad I do know that good is spelled with a d. Also Kris I re-read your letter and I feel the overwhelming urge to say that you are a Dumbass!!!
Irresponsible gun owners give all of us a bad name. Lock up your guns so kids can not get to them. There is a lot of dangerous information on the internet, you can not expect the internet to be a safe place for kids. Parents and hunters need to be more careful with their weapons.
As of today 15 Idaho wolves have been reported. Tomorrow the rest of the state opens for hunting, the numbers should jump :).
I didn’t get any takers on wanting to talk to me on the phone about hunting. But they sure can call and harrass the guy who shot the first wolf.
The blissful, tree hugging, save the whale, Subaru driving people who have , are whinning out both sides of their mouths. They will call and bitch/threaten/whine and cry, but wont carry on an adult conversation in person.
They want the wolf but not in their backyard, they want the Feds to control things but not in their backyard, they probably have never actually seen a wolf – espcialy in their backyard, but they want to control our backyard???
You never see where these people are from, they threaten our way of life, they threaten our state, they have no idea of the actual reason for Idaho wanting to manage the wolf, they should get a clue before they let a– overload their mouths.
This statement will get their panties in a bunch.
:) :) :)
Have a good day and a good hunt!!!!
How did all this ignorant white trash end up in Idaho? What a pathetic state. You people should be embarrassed. You are an embarrassment to the rest of the U.S. that’s for sure!
Looks like John has “his panties in bunch”. Have you ever been to Idaho? You make judgments on Idaho based on what? What gives you the right to call someone trash? It appears to me that you might fit into your statement “You are an embarrassment to the rest of the U.S. that’s for sure!”. It shows your lack of respect and knowledge to make a blanket statement as you did.I feel sorry for you and anyone who agrees with you. A famous person once said ” A wise person knows what not to say without facts to back him up and a ignorant person says what not to say without facts to back him up”. May God give you the strength to pull your head out of where it is, and use it for something more useful than you have on this site.
John, who the hell are you to assume that because I live in Idaho and I enjoy hunting I must be white trash. I am not married to any of my siblings. None of my kids are inbred. I do not now nor have I ever owned a wife beater, tank top, or any piece of cut-off clothing. I do not have a vehicle propped up on cinder blocks in my front yard. You have never met me so how in the hell do you think you can judge me and say that I am white trash. I am a successful self-employed business owner, now with these tough economic times I don’t know how long my job will keep food on the table. I rely on hunting deer and elk to keep meat in my freezer. To me my family is more important than making sure some piece of shit wolf can eat so I am going to do whatever I feel is necessary to do so. Until you have lived in Idaho and in our shoes here worry about your own damn problems and not so much about others.
Don’t pay any attention to John. He is just baiting people to get a response. There are sick people that get their kicks that way.
Today is October 1, 2009, the sun is coming up, and it’s 24 degrees up here. It’s going to be a wonderful day. I’m having a cup of coffe and toasting this wonder world we live in.
I’m proud to an American and from Idaho, where we are given the rights we have to express our feelings, what ever they may be. As you can read on this site we have all kinds, and not all agree, but we still can express it.
God bless America!
Have a good day!
Have a safe and prosperous hunt! :)
May your aim be true!
And when you get home kiss your wife and kids, and thank who ever you believe in for this wonderful life. :)
And most of all say prayer for those who have given us this right and for those who continue to protect this right where ever they may be today!
Elkhunter
Could not have been said better.
Idaho “State of Shame” White Trash is a term for uncivilized, uneducated, white people and you are that. Also, my panties are fine but you need therapy. Your parents must be so disappointed in you or are they as savage as you?
You have no clue what it is means be a proud American. Americans have respect and you lack all human decency. You were poorly raised. Your sidekicks are idiots, also.
Guys – please stop the name calling and stick to a civilized discussion of the game management issues.
Just ignore John, he’ll crawl back to where he came.
He has nothing better to do than try to start a fight.
John have a nice day :), because we are all going to forgive your ignorance, and then forget you.
All in favor ignore John.
I agree, by John
By John :) :) :)
rd
Come on, rd, John and I are buddies. We are just messing with each other. I am just trying to civilize him. Heaven only knows he needs it. Especially on how to talk about the management of the Idaho, oh sorry, the Canadian Grey Wolf. They are really nice little fuzzy animals. Everyone needs one for a friend or a pet, in their back yard.
They will not hurt you or anything. They are vegetarians. Mine really likes spinach greens and kolorabi in elk or deer gravy. He sleeps with both the deer and elk. He only weighs about 180 pounds and I file his teeth so he won’t be tempted to snack.
I love my wolf. Do not attemp to mess with him or you will receive my unbiased wrath.
bye john
Saw 6 wolves Sat, they were running for the hills above Bear, Idaho. Headed onto The OX Ranch, a safe place from the public. How many of the people against the hunt have seen a wolf in the wild? They took down a elk calf 50 yards from the farm house this weekend. A ranch hand said its been a shark feeding frenzie this year by the wolves on the elk/deer.
28 culled since the start.
There must have been a real infestation
of wolves in the Middle Fork and Weiser
locations.
It is a good start.
To help clear up the record, the only reason I am for a wolf hunt is to set up a management plan, and manage the population just as we do for the rest of our big game wildlife. Some people believe most hunters just want to kill the wolves. Not true – if you take the time to ask hunters what their feelings are, they will say management is the best policy. I personally believe the wolf is a wonderful animal and truly does need to exist, but with management. The number of wolves in Idaho has surpassed the goal originally set by all involved, now its time to manage.
Good for you, Elkhunter
Wolf Harvest Information
Last Updated: October 13, 2009
Wolf Zone Harvest Limit Number Harvested Limit Remaining Status Season Dates
Panhandle 30 3 27 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Palouse-Hells Canyon 5 1 4 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Lolo 27 2 25 Open Sept 1 – Mar 31
Dworshak-Elk City 18 5 13 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Selway 17 3 14 Open Sept 15 – Dec 31
Middle Fork 17 6 11 Open Sept 15 – Dec 31
Salmon 16 1 15 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
McCall-Weiser 15 8* 7 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Sawtooth 55 12 43 Open Sept 1 – Mar 31
Southern Mountains 10 3 7 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Upper Snake 5 2 3 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Southern Idaho 5 — 5 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
TOTALS 220 46 174
Where have all the people gone? Must of gave up and went to save something else?
was hunting deer and elk hunting.
Did not get anything
there is a small decline in the wolf population
was 6 degrees in camp
froze my backside off. the dust was really bad, until the small rain storm
67 gone now, only 3 left in my unit. I hope there will still be a couple on Friday or I’ll have to go to the Sawtooths. It amazes me how all the people that were here are now gone and this has become empty. Did you hear the #1 wolf tag sold for $8000 this weekend?
that is a pretty pricy tag. maybe it will help with the control of the wolves if used right. Most of the others that were posting seen it as a fad or were just venting.
I check them out each day. Might miss when out on the hunt.
Wolf Harvest Information
Last Updated: October 20, 2009
Please call 1-877-872-3190 for the most up-to-date information on harvest limits and closures.
Wolf Zone Harvest Limit Number Harvested Limit Remaining Status Season Dates
Panhandle 30 7 23 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Palouse-Hells Canyon 5 2 3 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Lolo 27 3 24 Open Sept 1 – Mar 31
Dworshak-Elk City 18 8 10 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Selway 17 4 13 Open Sept 15 – Dec 31
Middle Fork 17 8 9 Open Sept 15 – Dec 31
Salmon 16 1 15 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
McCall-Weiser 15 12* 3 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Sawtooth 55 17 38 Open Sept 1 – Mar 31
Southern Mountains 10 4 6 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Upper Snake 5 3 2 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Southern Idaho 5 — 5 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
TOTALS 220 69 151
* One killed illegally before season opened.
Leaving for hunting today – 8 days :) ;]
Elk, deer, then wolf, my priorities are meat for my family. Pack into wilderness and enjoy no phone, internet, work or environmentalist( they wont come back into the wilderness where there are wild animals). To all a good day and a good hunt.:)
Wolf Harvest Information
Last Updated: October 23, 2009
Please call 1-877-872-3190 for the most up-to-date information on harvest limits and closures.
Wolf Zone Harvest Limit Number Harvested Limit Remaining Status Season Dates
Panhandle 30 7 23 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Palouse-Hells Canyon 5 2 3 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Lolo 27 4 23 Open Sept 1 – Mar 31
Dworshak-Elk City 18 10 8 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Selway 17 4 13 Open Sept 15 – Dec 31
Middle Fork 17 8 9 Open Sept 15 – Dec 31
Salmon 16 2 14 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
McCall-Weiser 15 13* 2 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Sawtooth 55 17 38 Open Sept 1 – Mar 31
Southern Mountains 10 5 5 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Upper Snake 5 4 1 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
Southern Idaho 5 — 5 Open Oct 1 – Dec 31
TOTALS 220 76 144
* One killed illegally before season opened.
Wolf zones close when harvest limits are met.
81 of those sport killing predators down the toilet. Yes, yes, yes
Ah…it’s been awhile. The ‘sport killing predator’ line is pretty ironic. Are you referring to the ‘sport’ of killing?