This is exactly what I think needs to be said. Finally someone realized that preventing extinction of this small wolf is more important than the cows, whose owners lose little if anything.
Let wolves prosper. Editorial. Arizona Republic.
by
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan’s Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of “Hiking Idaho.” He also wrote “Beyond the Tetons” and “Backpacking Wyoming’s Teton and Washakie Wilderness.” He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Comments
The editorial was remarkable blunt in its adherence to the principle questions ~ and truths ~ concerning recovery of wolves ~ the message is equally apt up north ~
i’m beginning to tear up … reason made it through ~ i’ll have to call up and give those at the Arizona Republic my appreciation.
Wow….. Finally, some happy tears.
be has the right idea; we should let them know how much that article is appreciated. With so much bad news as of late, we need to remember to express our thanks now more than ever.
John Leach
Managing Editor
Arizona Republic, azcentral.com
(602) 444-8746
jleach@azcentral.com
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Mack P. Bray
My opinions are my own
wildlifewatchers@bresnan.net
http://wildlifewatchers.jottit.com/
How cold and unfeeling of you to say that cows’ owners lose little to nothing. Anyone who has his/her personal property, business and livelihood constantly stolen away, bit by bit, suffers greatly.
Yeah, cry those alligator tears, “cred,” whoever you are.
More cows are lost to domestic DOGS than wolves.
No sympathy from me.
We need to end the grazing of livestock on AMERICA’S public lands.
—
Mack P. Bray
My opinions are my own
wildlifewatchers@bresnan.net
http://wildlifewatchers.jottit.com/
alligator/crocodile tears, WHATEVER…!
reptilian tears?
Cred,
The amount that “cows’ owners” lose IS nothing compared to what we the public lose because of those cows grazing on public lands. We lose the health of our ecosystems, numerous wildlife species have been extirpated or are on the brink of extinction and our water sources have been compromised. All to suit those “cows’ owners” If those “cows’ owners” do not wish to lose cows to wolves, perhaps they should not graze them in areas inhabited by wolves. After all, woud you open a fish hatchery in the middle of shark infested waters. Of course not.
As the editorial argues it’s not that the property rights of cattle owners are unimportant, it’s that they have been overvalued in relation to the mere 50 Mexican wolves because the cattle owners are compensated for most of their losses when entire packs of the this rare animal have been wiped out time and time again when better sanitation of dead livestock would prevent the wolves from learning that beef and mutton can be food.
Moreover, much of this area seems to have year long grazing, a bad practice that destroys the range and ultimately the livelihood of those people and animals who depend upon it.
Then too, the public land rancher, pays just a token for forage. Couple that with the outrageous RAT tax the average American has to pay to use public lands nowadays, and we can see things have become unbalanced.
Balance, that’s what has been lacking in the program and public land management in general.
Cooperativeness too, this has been lacking. Biologists and land managers have been harassed by local people in the area for years over a variety of issues.
Most people are not aware of what has gone on this area over the years, but I recall the stories well. Here is one about the Diamond Bar Ranch by famous outdoor writer, Ted Williams, A Cautionary Tale: Rogue ranchers threaten Western trout water
I am from Arizona, an I applaud this article, I hope we in Arizona will help get laws passed to help the wolves in New Mexico, maybe one day we will be lucky enough to have a few packs in our state!
It’s too bad that those who don’t care about the REAL “natural order” of life can’t get it into their heads that wolves were only removed to disrupt this order and that our lives DO depend on replacing what was wrongly removed.
Climate change isn’t just a product of chemicals in the atmosphere, it is also a product of foolish tenets of human domination which includes “management” and removal/destruction of crucial wildlife and habitat.
I would suggest that humans should “manage” themselves instead. The capitalization of nature is, and has been, the wrong direction from the day it started.
Those who gain monetarily from exploitation of natural resources that belong to all citizens need to wake up and get real. The wildlife of the states belongs to all citizens as do the PUBLIC LANDS, not just the public land-raping folks because they can make a buck off our resources.
What part of PUBLIC can’t they understand? Of course, if you buy into Senator Wide-Stance’s misguided rhetoric and his ilk, you’ll be whining about little girls getting eaten at the bus stop in the dark… which so unlikely that it’s laughable.
Somehow, I can’t see where those folks are so extra special that their god gave them license to destroy the things they can’t control. If god made all creatures equally, what’s up with this persecution of one of the most important species there is?
Or is it just that temper-tantrum mentality that can’t accept competition?
April – We have @ 6-7 packs in AZ primarily in the White Mountains/Hannagan Meadows area. They are doing pretty well and benefit from not having to deal with cows that are on the range year round (like they do in NM).
Jeff, I have never heard that, we have wolves in Arizona white mountians? Geez, I would have been up there long ago if I had known that. Oh, maybe that is why I don’t know, are we keeping it low key so they don’t get killed? At any rate I am going to find out where Hannagan Meadows area is, I am only a couple to 3 hours away from there, I will be Jeeping up soon maybe I can get some pictures to share on the YS site! I am so happy to hear Arizona has wolves!!!!!!! thanks Jeff!!!! I am going to be writing to US F & W on this matter also.
April – Check out this website
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/
Go to the tab that reads Blue Range Reintroduction Project, then click on BRWRA Monthly Project Updates for latest info.
The AZ population is not really low key. They were actually first released into AZ in 1998. In fact wolves were released in AZ before they were released in NM due to a special rule that applies to releases in NM.
Some people who live in wolf country in NM have an irrational hysteria regarding wolves. As I mentioned in a previous post they live in a perpetual state of terror regarding the wolf. According to some sources in NM the wolf population there stakes out school bus stops and sends elk hunters scurrying up trees for safety.
I’ve been to AZ and NM wolf country dozens of times since 1998 and have only seen their tracks and heard howling on two occasions.
At National Forest Service campgrounds in the White Mountains and all sorts of places on public lands regularly visited by the public, you’ll find posters explaining what people should do if they’re attacked by wolves. The posters are not left overs from the 1890s. In case you’re wondering what you should do if you’re attacked by a wolf, the answer is, “shoot the M!%#!! F#!!%!” The Arizona Stockman’s Association will pay $5 per pair of wolf ears. Just kidding. About the reward.
Thanks again Jeff, Good site. I already had printed a map of wolf locations, etc… I found, my friend and I were set to go up this weekend Sat & Sunday, but I think since you have been so many times and not spotted a wolf we probley would want more time to try than just 2 days. (AZ is not Yellowstone pretty easy to find them there) But I know I will go up there soon, sounds like beautiful country! I have only went as far as show low/Pine top, close but not close enough. I guess I should check our local game & fish information, I just never thought we had released wolves in AZ, Glad we did! Hey at least you got to see tracks and hear them, I would be joyful for that much…Happy Holidays to you Jeff!
Tai,
Yes, if a wolf attacks you all of rules say it is your right to defend yourself and kill the wolf.
Of course an attack is not likely to happen despite 12 years of predictions that an attack was imminent.
My close calls in the woods/countryside have been moose, grizzlies, bison, and rural dogs. I’d sleep in the open in a wolf pack’s rendezvous area and walkout a gun or pepper spray without the slightest worry. Well, in fact I have numerous times.
Ralph–I was poking fun at the posters and 1890 mentality ranchers–how many people in North America have been “attacked” by wild, non-habituated wolves? We have one disputed claim. In the White Mountains, the Forest Service and the agencies would serve the public better by putting up posters about fending off attacks by ravenous chipmunks.
One night while camping a white wolf walked between my brother and I. We had just finished our evening meal. We were only a few feet apart and were not worried. It was the dogs earlier in the day that were off leash that had us concerned.
Dogs off leash? Don’t get me going… Any dogs in my personal space face the sharp end of my hiking poles and/or my bear spray.
—
Mack P. Bray
My opinions are my own
wildlifewatchers@bresnan.net
http://wildlifewatchers.jottit.com/
As I mentioned before, wolf terror and hysteria in New Mexico is alive and well:
The esteemed NM Rep. Steven Pearce as quoted in an article in the 12/20 edition of the Alamogordo Daily News, regarding the Mexican Gray Wolf.
“We have people in the Second District that can’t check their mail without taking a pistol to the mailbox for fear of being attacked,” Pearce said
Same old B.S.
Here’s the article:
http://www.alamogordonews.com/search/ci_7765111
Here’s Rep. Stevan Pearce’s website with phone numbers, etc.:
http://pearce.house.gov/
—
I just now called, but supposedly he’s “not in his office.”
—
Mack P. Bray
My opinions are my own
wildlifewatchers@bresnan.net
http://wildlifewatchers.jottit.com/
Hey April. I’m glad to hear your eladed joy about the wolves in Alpine. That’s the primary headquarters for the wolf recovery area. Just to give you a heads up note that the wolves aren’t as easy to see as easy said. Alpine and it’s bmwra are very dense. The wolves are very nomadic and they don’t hang around on the side of the roads like other wildlife. You can find paw tracks and scat on some of the roads where they frequently cross. As I have. I’ve had the fortune of seeing them several time. The Bluestem Pak and the Hawks Nest Pak, in Arizona. I been fortunate to see the Saddle Pak, now defunct, and I’ve seen the Luna Pak. Most of why I got to see these Paks was cause I was fortunate to be able to ride along with the AZDGF a coulpe of times and had the knowledge of where these wolves hung out. Again I’d like to stess, if you want to see the wolves you’ll almost have to live out in the forest and look for them constantly cause they’re not going to come to you. Believe me ask Jean Ossorio, another Mexican Wolf observer. She’ll tell you the same. I’m not trying to discourage you as a matter of fact I encourage you to go out there and do it. Happy wolfing, Robert
Hey Jeff. You and I need to get together. Sounds like we both have some knowledge of the wolves hangs outs. I know the Alpine Area pretty well. I spend most of my summer their scouting the wolves. Let me know if you’re interested. Robert in New Mexico. I also have an insite on the wolve project up here. My e-mail is robjmolina2001@yahoo.com
ascii e-mail reduced to equivalent decimal entities to prevent spammers reaching Robert
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Hi Robert & Jeff,
Yes, Robert, I pretty much know that my chances of seeing them would be little, but just trying would be fun!! You are lucky you have friends to help you spot them. If you and Jeff get together sometime to go look for them, let me know, post up on the YS net discussions or here, if possible I would love to join in on the hunt, with my camera….When I want to get up close and hug a wolf, I head to Lucerne valley in California, Tanya Littlewolf has Wolf mountain sanctuary, wolves that people breed or movie wolves that people have discarded, she save’s. The wolf that was in Dances with Wolves has been with Tanya every since the film was out. Sad story, raised by humans, trained to work on the set, then they did not want her anymore when the film was done (yes it is a she) and because she never was socialized with wolves she can not join the other packs that Tanya has, she sits in a cage (good size) all by herself, except when Tanya and her caregivers spend time with her which is every day! I hate seeing her like that. She did have 1 mate while with Tanya but he died a few years back and she will not accept another one. Yes, I love wolves and I may be stupid in some folks minds, but I would never be afraid to run into a wolf in the wild…they would rather run from ya then eat ya!
Hey April. Good to hear from you. I like that story about the wolf sanctuary in California. We too, have a wolf sanctuary here in New Mexico. And too, the wolves are there for the same reason. But it’s a neat place to be. They also have a wolf that starred in a movie, however I don’t recall the name right off, neat huh? It does help to have people that can help you. But did you know that the Biologist too, don’t see them as much as you think they do. They mostly see them when they’re doing there air telemitry counts and when they have to go catch one for various reasons. Most time they just track them with the gps and mark there where abouts on there maps to see if they’re hanging out in the same areas or moving around. Especially during the time that the females are pupping they check them to see how stationary they are. And to more or less know where they’re denning at the time. Usaually it’s the same den every year. They also do lots of forensics on dead prey to see how, where, when and who killed it. Pretty much like CSI on tv(LOL). Pretty neat stuff. That’s why I’m getting a degree in wildlife bio. Just recently one of there best Bio, Janis, left to get her Masters in Wyoming. I’m betting when she graduates she’ll get a job in Yellowstone. I’ve had the privelage to meet Rick Macintyre and some of his people in Yellowstone. They’re 24 hour wolf people. Anyways, yes, to answer your question. If I get a mail from Jeff and he wants to hang out, I’ll let you know. If not I’ll be more than glad to guide you guys. We’re headed up to Idaho on the 27th of Dec. Up to Briggs, just west of the Tetons. I’m hopeing to meet with Ralph Maughan and maybe he can give us some ensite on wildlife observation. Weather permitting. Anyways, If I don’t hear from, have a great Christmas and New Years. I think if you’d like to visit the wolf sanctuary in new mexico, it would be some what closer than the one in Calli.It’s just on the other side of Springerville. I don’t know if you know where the Zuni Pueblo is, this is New Mexico. just west of the Arizona border, central part. If you look on a map find the Pueblo, then look for a little town named Ramah. It’s about 15 miles east of Ramah and south on a well maintained dirt road.I don’t know where at in Arizona you are, but I bet you could get there in about 3 hours. It’s called “wild wolf Sanctuary”, or you might of heard of it as “The Candy Kitchen wolf Santuary.” I bet your friends in Calli know of it. They have neat wolves there. Arctics, greys, wolf hybrids, and I think they have a Mexican grey wolf there too. And just recently they had a pair of wolves that had pups that all survived. But they too have they’re wolves spayed and nuettered. Happy howling, Robert