Montana’s second hunt to be much larger than the 2009 hunt-
Montana’s wildlife commissioners have tentatively approved a wolf hunt this fall of 220 wolves, compared to their 2009 hunt of 79. There was no hunt in 210. At the end of 2010, the official wolf population estimate for Montana was 566 wolves. This quota, if filled, is predicted to drop the state’s wolf population by 25% at the end of 2011, although there are competing computer models.
Idaho has an estimated 705 wolves, well down from its peak in 2009. Idaho’s Fish and Game Commission is expected to approve a big hunt quota, although their quota in 2009 was not reached.
Montana FWP tentatively approves 220-wolf quota for fall hunt. By Matt Volz. AP
Comments
I’m still trying to digest the quotas for Idaho and Montana. They seem so low to me. Feels like we’re in for discouraging news about wolves these next few months.
Well maybe they should up the Quotas 75%? Would that help ya out? You do realize quota=wolves that can be shot?
Ralph
It should read 2009 quota was 75 not 79, small point.
Neither state reached there quotas last hunt, I don’t think a hunt will threaten wolves that much, aerial gunning and poison is what really threatens populations.
Those are the results of the real dangers…ranchers, trophy hunting groups, science-ignorant politicians and craven fish and game folks too cowed to stand up for the wildlife they are suppose to be protecting…not just managing elk for maximum profit for the state coffers…As for the quota, it seems reasonable, but the states know that this is not the time to get really extreme in trying to get rid of the wolves as any kind of permanent fixture in the ecosystem. They will wait; probably blame the decline on elk numbers on wolves instead of the winter that has killed off thousands, and use it to justify a bigger hunt in 2012, possibly even a spring hunt.
In combination with Salazars very dangerous proposal to prevent ESA protections to wolves in all of the Eastern states; to re-examine the status of grays and Mexican wolves in the West; to delist the upper MidWest populations despite no evidence there is a problem there, I feel we are watching the second great extinction of the wolf in the lower 48…just not so open as it happened before
I don’t think there is any reason to argue against delisting the great lakes population, there are a lot of wolves in MN, MI, and WI-not to mention the politicians there are not as rabidly anti wolf since they were never eradicated to start with. I do worry about Lobos being caught in the cross fire and I think a genetic boost in the SW is in order something similar to the TX panthers being added to the FL population.
Jeff,
Montana did reach their quota last time a hunt was held, Idaho did not..
How was the quota determined? 220 seems high to me. Forgive my awkward attempt at formulating this question, but I wonder if the “ripple effect” of killing 220 wolves was taken into account? Surely killing 220 will result in more than 220 deaths if the damage to the pack structure is taken into consideration. Seems to me that abandoned pups will die, mangy wolves won’t have the protection of their pack to allow possible recovery, smaller fragmented packs will be disadvantaged to withstand challenges by larger packs. Perhaps someone with a wolf biology background would be so kind as to address my concerns.
Connie: A number of studies have shown that wolves can sustain very high over-winter mortality (30-40%) without a substantial impact to the population. But remember, the politicians in these states want to reduce the number of wolves–or at least arrest wolf population growth; consequently, you have a quota of 220 wolves. Also, you have to recall that the population estimate (556) is the minimum, so 40% of the minimum is probably what they thought they could get away with without sending up a red flag to the FWS–who will be monitoring the population for the next 5 years.
How these hunts affect packs/individuals is an issue that no one in management wants to discuss.
+How these hunts affect packs/individuals is an issue that no one in management wants to discuss+
And why do you suppose that is JB?
I’m just guessing but… (a) they don’t really know, and (b) they do not think they will like the answer.
Not that it even matters 3 days later but what I meant was taking the populations down that low is just disgusting and and quite depressing. Sorry about the mis-read Craig, I said opposite what I meant.
Cindy, I was wondering about that; thanks for the additional input.