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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 322
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 322 |
I have mixed emotions. Popplecop gives an accurate portrayal of the facts as I understand them and I doubt anyone posting here is closer to the truth than he is. I like the idea of wolves making a comeback, but then again I am not a farmer and I have not lost a dog to them. My concern is the population will become too large before they decide to cull their numbers or lift the protection. When I listen to the locals in the Western U.P. 1 wolf is too many and that seems a bit extreme, but I no longer live up there full time.
I do spend 30 to 45 days living in the western U.P. each fall and this past fall I saw my first two wolves, both from the car on U.S. 2. I see more sign every season and now I find it everywhere I hunt so they seem to difficult to avoid, at least where I hunt. My dogs hunt close but I still worry about them.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118 |
As stated it is a shame for someone to loose a pet to any predator, be it a wolf, cougar or bear. The only difference between the wolf and us, is they need to hunt for food.
Here in Pa. it is a problem in a lot of areas now with coyotes and bears taking a lot of fawns. More bears are seen now roaming the fields in searh of fawns after their dropped. They know where to go.
David
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
Tuesday of this week, a Coyote pack took 3 of 8 calves dropped Monday nite. We are seeing larger packs of Coyotes all the time. This pack had 7 in it, now reduced to 3 by me. 3 years ago in Alaska on a Moose hunt I watched a small pack of wolves tear down and leave most of a cow caribou. I don't know what the answer is, but it's not "introducing" more of em. We moved the momma cows to a smaller pasture........Dont even talk to me about the number of fawns killed and left.....
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,572 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,572 Likes: 165 |
Apart from the slaying of the hunter's dogs, I'm delighted to hear that we have wolves in northern WI and if they take some game, so be it.
Isn't it acceptable to have predators preying upon game as well as hunters? Professional courtesy amongst like minded individuals?
I guess I just never mind true predators (coyote is not a true predator in my book) competing for resources with me. There is always equilibrium and cougars, wolves and fox never seem to effect my pleasure in hunting game. (if they are coming up to your barn door, by all means, do what you must!)
The problem, Rookhawk, is that wolves are FEDERALLY protected. You cannot do "what you must" . . . at least not legally. Even if a wolf is attacking your dog or livestock. Wolves are pretty smart critters. If hunters were allowed to shoot wolves to protect their dogs, and farmers to protect their livestock, then wolves would quickly adapt and avoid humans. But they have no fear of humans, because currently, humans present no threat to them. That would still leave the issue of the impact wolves have on deer, and it would probably take an open season on wolves (limited to so many per year) to keep the population in check. It already is about double the target population biologists originally established for wolves (in WI and the UP). Time to remove them from the endangered species list and do something about it.
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