The Wildlife News

Wolves and Prey

  • Montana study shows bears are the biggest predator of elk calves

    Ralph Maughan

    The study was conducted in the Garnet Range, east of Missoula, MT. However, a study reported over the last several years in Yellowstone Park showed the same thing, although there it was grizzly bears, not black bears. If we look over at Idaho, one of the criticisms of Idaho Fish and Game’s “science” in their…

  • In Idaho wilderness, researchers say wolves aren't decimating elk

    Ralph Maughan

    University of Idaho researchers Jim and Holly Akenson have been living at Taylor Ranch Field Station, deep in the Frank Church Wilderness, since at least 2000. It was in 2001 that I heard them present their first research results at our annual North American wolf conference. While this article does not cover all of their…

  • Changing weather patterns drive dramatic changes in Yellowstone Park wolf predation

    Ralph Maughan

    ‘ “I’m not looking at whether this is connected to global warming,” said Doug Smith, lead biologist and team leader of the Yellowstone wolf project. Yet wolf and prey behavior is different from what it was at the beginning of wolf reintroduction to the park in 1994, because the weather is different,” he said.’ Brodie…

  • Clearwater River area wolf killing plan withdrawn by State of Idaho

    Ralph Maughan

    Although it hasn’t been officially announced, I understand the recent plan to reduce the wolf population by 80% for five years over a large portion of north central Idaho has been withdrawn. I regard this as one of the biggest victories in a long time. Idaho Fish and Game Commission proposed it as a way…

  • Plan to control lots of Western Idaho wolf packs is greatly scaled back

    Ralph Maughan

    Several days ago I posted “Wildlife Services plans major Western Idaho wolf removals.” A lot of people read it and 20 comments were posted. I have now closed that discussion thread. Meanwhile, there has been plenty of talking behind the scenes about this wolf control plan. Now the plan has been greatly scaled back. I…

  • Yellowstone wolf watching update

    Ralph Maughan

    I get a lot of email about wolves in Yellowstone. Is this a good time to see them? NO Dr. Doug Smith told me that the only viewing action is off and on in the Lamar and lower Slough Creek Pack and in Antelope Creek (that’s on the road between Tower Falls and Mt. Washburn).…

  • Archery hunting season opens in Idaho, a great benefit for wolves

    Ralph Maughan

    August though November is the toughest time for wolves. Their prey are fleet and strong. Wolf pups are big, hungry, and no help in the hunt. Wolf packs are nutritionally stressed and are most likely then to sample mutton or beef. The hunting season, however, is a gift for wolves — gut piles and wounded…

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‎”At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, “thus far and no further.” If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, “If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour.”

Edward Abbey

“The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans.”

Jim Fowler

“Our forests offer much more than just beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Each one has a different story to tell.”

Raveena Tandon

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