Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Wisconsin's first wolf hunt could end ahead of schedule
WQOW TV: Eau Claire,
WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports
Posted: Dec 03, 2012
Eau Claire (WQOW) - The state's first wolf hunt could wrap up earlier than expected.
We've been following the hunt, which was supposed to run through February.
But hunters are very close to the state's quota so it may not be long before the first hunt is in the books.
"The harvest has proceeded much more quickly I think than anyone anticipated," said Ed Culhane, DNR Spokesperson.
Wisconsin's inaugural wolf hunt is wrapping up early. As of Monday, hunters have killed 104 wolves, just twelve short of the quota set by the state.
"This year we've obviously learned that hunters and trappers are very effective at harvesting wolves. Now, will that same success rate go into future seasons? Or will the wolves eventually become a little bit more knowledgeable about what the hunters are up to? Who's to say," Culhane said.
While some aspects of the hunt are hard to predict, there's no denying the first hunt will be successful in terms of helping the DNR understand more about the animals.
"Every wolf that gets harvested, biologists have the time to go over that carcass and collect a great deal of biological information, beyond just aging it. They'll be making all sorts of studies into the wolf's general health, and in terms of the female wolves, and lots of reproductive information," said Culhane.
Zone 5 and 6 are within two wolves of reaching quota, meaning zone 3 will likely be the last place open for the hunt.
"Zone 3, which is parts of Taylor, Rusk, and Washburn counties, there are 8 more wolves that can be harvested there, and we'll just have to see how the pace continues. The way things have been going, you wouldn't think it would last past the end of the year," Culhane said.
Even if you have a permit, the DNR is still urging you to call or check online before going out.
"It's their responsibility every day to check in, to see where things are at, to make sure that the zone in which they are operating is still open," said Culhane.
When you factor in the tribes' portion, the overall state quota was set at 201.
Before the hunt, the DNR had estimated the state's population to be around 880.
source WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports
WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports
Posted: Dec 03, 2012
Eau Claire (WQOW) - The state's first wolf hunt could wrap up earlier than expected.
We've been following the hunt, which was supposed to run through February.
But hunters are very close to the state's quota so it may not be long before the first hunt is in the books.
"The harvest has proceeded much more quickly I think than anyone anticipated," said Ed Culhane, DNR Spokesperson.
Wisconsin's inaugural wolf hunt is wrapping up early. As of Monday, hunters have killed 104 wolves, just twelve short of the quota set by the state.
"This year we've obviously learned that hunters and trappers are very effective at harvesting wolves. Now, will that same success rate go into future seasons? Or will the wolves eventually become a little bit more knowledgeable about what the hunters are up to? Who's to say," Culhane said.
While some aspects of the hunt are hard to predict, there's no denying the first hunt will be successful in terms of helping the DNR understand more about the animals.
"Every wolf that gets harvested, biologists have the time to go over that carcass and collect a great deal of biological information, beyond just aging it. They'll be making all sorts of studies into the wolf's general health, and in terms of the female wolves, and lots of reproductive information," said Culhane.
Zone 5 and 6 are within two wolves of reaching quota, meaning zone 3 will likely be the last place open for the hunt.
"Zone 3, which is parts of Taylor, Rusk, and Washburn counties, there are 8 more wolves that can be harvested there, and we'll just have to see how the pace continues. The way things have been going, you wouldn't think it would last past the end of the year," Culhane said.
Even if you have a permit, the DNR is still urging you to call or check online before going out.
"It's their responsibility every day to check in, to see where things are at, to make sure that the zone in which they are operating is still open," said Culhane.
When you factor in the tribes' portion, the overall state quota was set at 201.
Before the hunt, the DNR had estimated the state's population to be around 880.
source WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports
State postpones wolf control near 2 villages
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Alaska
Department of Fish and Game is postponing an aerial wolf control
program planned for two Interior villages because of too little snow to
track the animals, low light and legal issues.
The department had planned aerial wolf control in November for Allakaket and Alatna, two villages about 200 miles northwest of Fairbanks where residents report that predators are killing too many moose. The date now has been pushed to mid-to-late February.
State wildlife biologists were planning to shoot as many as 50 wolves from helicopters in a 1,360-square-mile area around the villages on the upper Koyukuk River, according to Monday's Fairbanks Daily News-Miner ( http://is.gd/AfuqtC).
"Conditions are not ideal for tracking; the light is fading every day; and the legal issues we're dealing with still haven't been resolved," said Fish and Game spokeswoman Cathie Harms.
The Alaska Board of Game approved the move to eradicate wolves in game management unit 24B in March. The program is intended to leave more moose for food for humans by improving the survival rates of calf and yearling moose, Harms said.
The plan called for department staff to eliminate all the wolves in the area this year and shoot any new wolves that move into the area for four consecutive years after that.
"Department staff would be aiming to take 35 to 50 wolves in the first year and probably 15 to 20 every year after that," Harms said. "We hope to have the whole program finished by 2017."
The department estimates there are 25 to 50 wolves in the area, which is home to approximately 400 moose. The control area represents about 10 percent of Unit 24B and the area is accessible for hunters in the two villages.
ADF&G studies have shown that bears, not wolves, are responsible for the highest mortality of moose calves in the area. But local residents specifically asked the department to focus on wolves rather than bears because bears represent a commonly used alternative food source.
source
The department had planned aerial wolf control in November for Allakaket and Alatna, two villages about 200 miles northwest of Fairbanks where residents report that predators are killing too many moose. The date now has been pushed to mid-to-late February.
State wildlife biologists were planning to shoot as many as 50 wolves from helicopters in a 1,360-square-mile area around the villages on the upper Koyukuk River, according to Monday's Fairbanks Daily News-Miner ( http://is.gd/AfuqtC).
"Conditions are not ideal for tracking; the light is fading every day; and the legal issues we're dealing with still haven't been resolved," said Fish and Game spokeswoman Cathie Harms.
The Alaska Board of Game approved the move to eradicate wolves in game management unit 24B in March. The program is intended to leave more moose for food for humans by improving the survival rates of calf and yearling moose, Harms said.
The plan called for department staff to eliminate all the wolves in the area this year and shoot any new wolves that move into the area for four consecutive years after that.
"Department staff would be aiming to take 35 to 50 wolves in the first year and probably 15 to 20 every year after that," Harms said. "We hope to have the whole program finished by 2017."
The department estimates there are 25 to 50 wolves in the area, which is home to approximately 400 moose. The control area represents about 10 percent of Unit 24B and the area is accessible for hunters in the two villages.
ADF&G studies have shown that bears, not wolves, are responsible for the highest mortality of moose calves in the area. But local residents specifically asked the department to focus on wolves rather than bears because bears represent a commonly used alternative food source.
source
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Reader's view: Wolf hunt shows lack of respect for wilderness
December 03, 2012
What’s going on? A killing frenzy? This wolf hunt is beyond disgusting and opened a door exposing abuse of power by politicians.
Wolves were removed from the endangered-species list in January and already are being trapped and shot. A four-month season is ongoing in Wisconsin, day and night, with trapping, electronic calling devices and bait. Possibly dogs, too, if the Dane County judge approves it Dec. 20.
Why? The bill authorizing the hunt reportedly was co-written by the Bear Hunter Association, Hunters’ Rights Group and Safari International. Gov. Scott Walker was elected with support from these groups. This seems like payback.
The Department of Natural Resources wrote a wolf-management plan in 1999 when the population was approximately 200. This plan determined management could be implemented when the population reached 350, meaning the DNR could shoot a few or have a limited hunt. That 350 was never meant to be the maximum population. Now, it seems, there are more wolf-hunting licenses than wolves.
The DNR already allowed farmers to trap and shoot problem wolves on their property. Depredation payments for livestock and pets lost to wolves are astonishing. The DNR paid $20,000 for two deer killed in a canned hunting area, I read. Fix the fence!
According to the DNR, each wolf kills about 20 deer a year; approximately 16,000 deer are killed by wolves annually. Wisconsin has about 1.4 million deer.
Wolves prey on the sick and weak, which helps prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease and other diseases.
Wolves are public trust. They belong to all the citizens of the state and, according to a DNR survey, more than 75 percent of people are against this hunt.
There’s no biological reason to kill wolves. It’s disheartening to see a lack of respect for life, wilderness and ecology.
Write your representatives.
Cathy Miller
Brulesource
What’s going on? A killing frenzy? This wolf hunt is beyond disgusting and opened a door exposing abuse of power by politicians.
Wolves were removed from the endangered-species list in January and already are being trapped and shot. A four-month season is ongoing in Wisconsin, day and night, with trapping, electronic calling devices and bait. Possibly dogs, too, if the Dane County judge approves it Dec. 20.
Why? The bill authorizing the hunt reportedly was co-written by the Bear Hunter Association, Hunters’ Rights Group and Safari International. Gov. Scott Walker was elected with support from these groups. This seems like payback.
The Department of Natural Resources wrote a wolf-management plan in 1999 when the population was approximately 200. This plan determined management could be implemented when the population reached 350, meaning the DNR could shoot a few or have a limited hunt. That 350 was never meant to be the maximum population. Now, it seems, there are more wolf-hunting licenses than wolves.
The DNR already allowed farmers to trap and shoot problem wolves on their property. Depredation payments for livestock and pets lost to wolves are astonishing. The DNR paid $20,000 for two deer killed in a canned hunting area, I read. Fix the fence!
According to the DNR, each wolf kills about 20 deer a year; approximately 16,000 deer are killed by wolves annually. Wisconsin has about 1.4 million deer.
Wolves prey on the sick and weak, which helps prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease and other diseases.
Wolves are public trust. They belong to all the citizens of the state and, according to a DNR survey, more than 75 percent of people are against this hunt.
There’s no biological reason to kill wolves. It’s disheartening to see a lack of respect for life, wilderness and ecology.
Write your representatives.
Cathy Miller
Brulesource
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Another wolf hunting zone closes Sunday (Thank God)
Another wolf hunting zone closes Sunday
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Wolves
MADISON, WI (WSAU-PR) - The Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources has closed Wolf Harvest Zone 1 to hunting and trapping of gray
wolves effective 5 pm, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.
Wolf Harvest Zone 1 is the third zone to be closed this season. The harvest of wolves currently remains open in zones 3, 5, and 6. The department will continue to closely monitor the harvest in the remaining zones and does expect zones 5 and 6 to close soon. Wolf hunters and trappers should check daily for additional zone closures.
“The harvest trend in Zone 1 has been steady prior to the deer season, but has slowed down since then. Now with the quota achieved we will close the zone to any additional harvest,” said Kurt Thiede, DNR Lands Division Administrator. “This is Wisconsin’s inaugural season. We are learning much about hunter and trapper success rates that will help us draft permanent rules that continue to move the wolf population down toward levels in line with social carrying capacity.”
“We will be considering harvest trends as we approach quotas in other zones as well. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the wolf population by 116 animals, distributed across the landscape,” said Thiede.
The state wolf harvest quota for Zone 1 was set at 32 wolves and the closure process was initiated when the 32nd wolf was harvested on Dec. 1, 2012. Wolf hunters and trappers are advised that they can continue to pursue wolves in zones 3, 5 and 6, but are urged to watch zones 5 and 6 closely because both are within 2 wolves of their quotas.
When additional zones are closed, DNR will announce such closures by news releases, notification on the DNR web site, and on the wolf call-in number, 1-855-299-9653. It is the hunter’s and trapper’s responsibility to check for and know about zone closures. DNR encourages hunters and trappers to check the website or the call-in number daily.
For more information and to view a map of wolf zone closures, visit dnr.wi.gov, search keyword “wolf.”
http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2012/dec/02/another-wolf-hunting-zone-closes-sunday/
Wolf Harvest Zone 1 is the third zone to be closed this season. The harvest of wolves currently remains open in zones 3, 5, and 6. The department will continue to closely monitor the harvest in the remaining zones and does expect zones 5 and 6 to close soon. Wolf hunters and trappers should check daily for additional zone closures.
“The harvest trend in Zone 1 has been steady prior to the deer season, but has slowed down since then. Now with the quota achieved we will close the zone to any additional harvest,” said Kurt Thiede, DNR Lands Division Administrator. “This is Wisconsin’s inaugural season. We are learning much about hunter and trapper success rates that will help us draft permanent rules that continue to move the wolf population down toward levels in line with social carrying capacity.”
“We will be considering harvest trends as we approach quotas in other zones as well. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the wolf population by 116 animals, distributed across the landscape,” said Thiede.
The state wolf harvest quota for Zone 1 was set at 32 wolves and the closure process was initiated when the 32nd wolf was harvested on Dec. 1, 2012. Wolf hunters and trappers are advised that they can continue to pursue wolves in zones 3, 5 and 6, but are urged to watch zones 5 and 6 closely because both are within 2 wolves of their quotas.
When additional zones are closed, DNR will announce such closures by news releases, notification on the DNR web site, and on the wolf call-in number, 1-855-299-9653. It is the hunter’s and trapper’s responsibility to check for and know about zone closures. DNR encourages hunters and trappers to check the website or the call-in number daily.
For more information and to view a map of wolf zone closures, visit dnr.wi.gov, search keyword “wolf.”
http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2012/dec/02/another-wolf-hunting-zone-closes-sunday/
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Wolf Weekly Wrap-up
Posted: 30 Nov 2012
A blow to research and tourism – Why all the attention on Yellowstone wolves when hundreds more are being killed across the region? Yellowstone wolves are not only some of the most iconic members of the species, they have also been the lynchpin of important research studies as well as a magnet for wolf tourism. That’s why both Science magazine and the New York Times reported this week on the loss of at least 10 wolves that frequented the park and were killed just beyond its boundaries. Seven of those wolves wore radio- or GPS-tracking collars that helped biologists monitor their activity and study their behavior. Without those collared animals, researchers will have to rethink their studies or scrap them altogether. In addition, several of the hunted wolves were seen regularly by tourists in popular parts of the park and had achieved near-celebrity status. The loss of those individuals could have a negative impact on wolf watching, a thriving industry that brings tens of millions of dollars to local businesses.
While Yellowstone wolves aren’t necessarily more important to the
overall health of the population than wolves elsewhere, they have
incredible symbolic value in the hearts and minds of those of us
involved with wolf conservation. Yellowstone was one of two sites where
wolves were first reintroduced in 1995, and those animals have captured
our imaginations ever since. Now, the death of their descendants is
revealing the hidden costs of aggressive wolf hunting all across the
Rockies. Last year, 545 wolves were killed by hunter and trappers in
Idaho and Montana. Wyoming joined the fray this year, and more than 250
wolves have been killed so far with several months of hunting and
trapping still to go. When will these states say enough is enough?
Advice for dog owners during trapping season – A letter in the Idaho County Free Press from Stacy Van Steenwyk reminds dog owners why they need to be careful now that trapping season is open. Last year, her yellow lab got its leg stuck in a leg-hold trap one foot off the road while she was out for a walk with some friends. They were unable to get the trap and had to rush her dog to the vet to get it removed. Her advice is that other dog owners should be prepared to do the same.
Advice for dog owners during trapping season – A letter in the Idaho County Free Press from Stacy Van Steenwyk reminds dog owners why they need to be careful now that trapping season is open. Last year, her yellow lab got its leg stuck in a leg-hold trap one foot off the road while she was out for a walk with some friends. They were unable to get the trap and had to rush her dog to the vet to get it removed. Her advice is that other dog owners should be prepared to do the same.
Pups from Oregon’s Wenaha Pack. Photo courtesy of Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.
reported that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has evidence that wolves from the Imnaha and Wenaha packs are interbreeding. Wolves often disperse from their packs in search of mates and end up with new packs, but this is the first time the behavior has been confirmed in the state’s budding wolf population. Cool! Federal scientists may also be ready to declare a new species of wolf, according to a story in USA Today. A survey of recent genetic evidence suggests that “Eastern wolves,” found today only in Canada, may be a distinct species rather than a subspecies of gray wolf. What’s the difference? Eastern wolves mate with both gray wolves and coyotes, whereas gray wolves often kill coyotes.
source
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