Wolf Weekly Wrap-up

Wolf ads running this Sunday – With the opening of hunting seasons in Idaho and Montana and a dubious Wyoming wolf plan in the works, we thought it was important to remind residents of the Northern Rockies why wolves are important. We’re running ads in the major regional newspapers this Sunday to increase tolerance for wolves on the landscape and bring a more balanced approach to wolf management.

Federal shooters get airborne – Last week, federal agents with USDA’s Wildlife Services were called in to remove three wolves in central Idaho that were allegedly implicated in a string of livestock losses (read the full story in the Idaho Mountain Express). The video below from local wolf advocates near Sun Valley shows how far our so-called “wildlife managers” are willing to go to eliminate native wildlife.

Sadly, this was not just an isolated incident. It takes place year-round across the West, wherever wolves share the landscape with livestock operations. The worst part is that losses like these are entirely preventable. Instead of squandering federal taxpayer dollars on planes and guns, state wildlife managers should spend the money on fencing, guard dogs and other nonlethal tools that reduce conflict over the long run. While many ranchers have implemented these tools and other good animal husbandry practices with great success, others remain reluctant to accommodate wolves, even though they are an integral part of healthy ecosystems and an important part of western wildlife heritage.

Yes we can (coexist) – Defenders’ Wolf Coexistence Partnership got a nice shout-out this week from Marc Cooke, co-president of the West National Wolfwatcher Coalition, in his guest column in the Missoulian. Cooke says that coexistence is possible without resorting to lethal measures that wipe wolves off the landscape.

As human populations expand and wolf populations recover, there is a growing need to develop both a better understanding of how to prevent conflicts with wolves, as well as the tools for living harmoniously with them. Conservationists and ranchers can work together to protect livestock and save wolves through the use of nonlethal deterrents and the best management practices which help to address the root cause of conflicts in economical ways that protect both livestock and wolves.

Hunt update – Ten wolves have been killed so far in Idaho since the hunting season opened on Aug. 30, with a long way to go before the season officially closes at the end of June. While over in Montana, only one wolf has been killed so far since archery hunting season opened on Saturday. But the pace is likely to pick up when Montana’s backcountry rifle season opens on Sept. 15 and again when the general season opens on Oct. 22.