Wolves and Prey
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The number of elk in the part of New Mexico where the Mexican wolves have become reestablished has increased. Of course the number of wolves is trivial — only 59 in the entire recovery area due to the defective recovery plan, and the many mistakes and political blockages placed on the Mexican wolf restoration program.…
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Big game outlook: Expect stable deer and elk populations this year. By Roger Phillips. Idaho Statesman. This is a detailed look for all the areas of the state of Idaho. If wolves were destroying Idaho’s elk and deer population, the populations should be declining. In fact, they should be declining at an increasing rate as…
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As autumn begins, for the first time not only are all of the packs on the Yellowstone Park northern range large, they are all almost equal in size. The Park pup count for the year is quite accurate and pup survival was high, but it is harder keep track of the adults, so with the…
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There’s plenty of game out there this season — you just need to find it. By Roger Phillips. Idaho Statesman. I guess this contradicts, “the-wolves-have-killed-all-the-game story” told by unsuccessful hunters. Of course, every year more and more ride ATVs up and down the roads and the trails looking for a shot. I suppose the folks…
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It is this kind of information that is very useful in judging the ecological effects of wolves. Human hunters too should take notice because elk learn what kinds of areas are safe and which are not. Story from Science Daily. [Silly headline] Wolves Find Happy Hunting Grounds In Yellowstone National Park.
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Preliminary data about predators and large ungulates indicates that fear is learned rather than inherent, although not all scientists agree. Story: Are prey hard-wired to fear predators? By Brodie Farquhar. Casper Star-Tribune
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This was nice. The New York Time’s does a piece on “The Basics” with wolves and Yellowstone’s aspen. I like the cartoon as well.
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In recent email Jim Robertson wrote the following (see below). It was so interesting I decided to post it (with his kind permission). My, but he has some great photographs! Ralph Maughan