By Duane Fronek
With all fuss over the wolf these days on protecting or not protecting it is my belief we need to de-list the wolf in order to protect the resource. Animal protection groups want the wolf to stay on the list, they base their opinion on emotion rather than science. They are under the assumption that wolves will become extinct if de-listed and that they self regulate their population. Well if they stay on the list they will eventually become extinct and self regulate themselves in a sense, but not by their choosing but by their nature. In the sense the animal that’s at the top of a food chain to go unchecked will eventually over populate and eat themselves out of house and home, then the self regulate comes in, it’s called disease and starvation and mother nature is very unforgiving in that dept.
So how will de-listing the wolf protect it? Well we’ve all seen the effects of regulated hunting and trapping on a species. Whether it be deer or bear or bobcats. When you start opening seasons on an animal such as a wolf many things will take place. One is you’ll start getting an accurate number as to what the population is because of the fact when a wolf is harvested it will be studied just like other animals like bobcat and otter, etc. When these animals are studied because the carcass is turned in to state or federal game managers they look at the age of the animal, the sex, what it’s feeding on, how many pups it had if it’s a breeding female. All these calculations are used to determine an over all population closest to the true population. In turn it helps decide harvest goals to keep the population at a level that the natural habitat around it can support, it’s called sustainable harvest. Which in turn helps prevent damage to the rest of the natural ecosystem, such as prey base and available land out there and to ensure the animals that are out there stay healthy and free of disease. Which at times can produce a health risk to people. By keeping the wolf in check and monitored more closely due to trapping and hunting seasons you also cut down on predation on livestock that costs the taxpayers money as well.
If the wolf stays on the threatened list, it risks a serious threat to it’s very existence as well as those around it. Not just by over eating available prey species or starvation and disease. But by unreported killings of wolves themselves. If an animal becomes so much of a threat that peoples hands are tied, people will take it upon themselves to alleviate the problem themselves, the problem with that besides the obvious, is the resource is wasted, the population numbers are always in question because there is no real benchmark to gauge what the population really is. Your basically doing the species a disservice. If animal protection groups really wanted the wolf to flourish like they say they do, they really need to leave Disneyland and look at hard evidence supporting regulated hunting and trapping. Another plus to the de-listing and to regulate hunting and trapping of the wolf, is the revenue generated by license sales. License revenue goes into the management of the resource just like it does with bobcats and otters and fishers. It’s actually in a sense self funded costing the tax payer less in the long run. Hunters and Trappers and Fishermen and women have paid billions of dollars over the decades to preserve wild lands and protect natural resources and species. The animal protectionists basically don’t put their money where their mouth is, they spend donations on lawsuits etc, but contribute pretty much nothing to habitat and wildlife management and their lawsuits in the federal and state courts take money away from the management end of wildlife and habitat.
Bottomline if we as sportsmen and women and the people in this country want the wolf to survive , the wolf needs to be de-listed. It will put the wolf in a light that can be studied and managed properly and not behind a curtain where assumptions can be made which can be more detrimental to the species more than so called full protection. It’s in the species best interest and overall health of a population to be de-listed and regulated.
Below is a list through August of Wolf Depredation in WI.
Wolf Depredations for 2010_Here is a complete list of wolf depredations so far for 2010 in WI. Confirmed and suspected. I don't understand the reluctance of the WI. DNR not posting this as public information. I had to request this in order to get the info. The DNR has no problem posting "Hunting" dogs and how it's the owners fault for hunting in wolf rendezvous site areas. We need to inform the public on just out of hand the wolf over population is the damage they are doing and apply pressure on the Feds. To de-list the wolves and allow the states to manage the population according to their management plans put in place.
WS #...................Date............type.......... ..........................County
RHL 001-2010.......1/6/2010....1 horse injured.........................ChippewaWaupun
01-2010...1/9/2010....1 dog ( husky mix) injured..........Jackson
RHL 002-2010.......1/11/2010...Health & Safety concern............Ashland
RHL 003-2010.......1/15/2010...1 dog inj. ( lab retriever - pet)....Sawyer
RHL 004-2010.......1/13/2010...4 dogs missing ( Welch Corgi).....Taylor
RHL 005-2010.......1/28/2010...Health & Safety concern............ForestWaupun
02-2010...1/31/2010...2 dog (husky mix, Malamute mix).Jackson
RHL 006-2010.......2/3/2010.....2 geese..................................Burnett
RHL 007-2010.......2/3/2010.....Harassement of horses..............Vilas
RHL 008-2010.......2/3/2010.....1dog (Redbone coonhound)........Oconto
RHL 009-2010.......2/7/2010.....2 sheep..................................Marathon
RHL 010-2010.......2/12/2010...Human Health and Safety...........Washburn
RHL 011-2010.......2/26/2010...Adult Ewes..............................Eau Claire
RHL 012-2010.......2/24/2010...Threat to cattle.......................DouglasWaupun
03-2010...2/26/2010...1 dog (American Samoyed) inj.....Portage
RHL 013-2010.......3/19/2010...6 calves..................................LincolnWaupun
04-2010...3/20/2010...1 heifer (9 months old)..............Manitowoc
RHL 014-2010.......3/26/2010...1 dog (Brittnay Spaniel).............Dunn
RHL 015-2010.......3/25/2010...1 calf.....................................Forest
RHL 016-2010.......3/30/2010...1 Heifer calf.............................Florence
RHL 017-2010.......4/4/2010.....1 bull calf................................Barron
RHL 018-2010.......3/30/2010....2 beef calves..........................DouglasWaupun
05-2010...4/5/2010.....1 Beef Calf..............................BuffaloWaupun
07-2010...4/25/2010...1 Beef Calf..............................MonroeWaupun
08-2010...5/7/2010.....1 Beef Calf..............................MonroeWaupun
09-2010...5/15/2010...1 dog (Miniature Cocker Spaniel)..AdamsWaupun
10-2010...5/16/2010...2 Short Horn Calves...................JacksonWaupun
11-2010...5/22/2010...1 Beef Calf...............................Juneau
RHL 019-2010.......4/5/2010.....1 Captive Whitetail Deer.............Oneida
RHL 020-2010.......4/2/2010.....1 Cow (pregnant)......................Lincoln
RHL 021-2010.......4/5/2010.....2 Cow ( pregnant cow and calf)..Lincoln
RHL 022-2010.......4/7/2010.....2 Dogs (1 Dachshund Hound injured, 1 Dachshund Hound killed)........................................... .............Iron
RHL 023-2010.......4/1/2010.....1 Calf......................................Douglas
RHL 024-2010.......4/26/2010...1 Calf (Black Angus)...................Iron
RHL 025-2010.......4/28/2010...1 Heifer (Holstein)......................Price
RHL 026-2010.......4/19/2010...1 Calf (newborn)........................Chippewa
RHL 027-2010.......5/2/2010.....1 Beef Calf...............................Rusk
RHL 028-2010.......4/21/2010...1 dog (Pit Bull Mix) inj.................DouglasWaupun
06-2010...4/14/2010...1 Calf (Line Back, newborn).........Trempealeau
RHL 029-2010.......4/26/2010...1 dog (German Short Hair)...........Vilas
RHL 030-2010.......4/27/2010...Human Health and Safety............Vilas
RHL 031-2010.......4/26/2010...1 Beef Calf (month old)...............Burnett
RHL 032-2010.......4/27/2010...1 Beef Calf................................Price
RHL 033-2010.......4/30/2010...1 Calf (Holstein).........................Douglas
RHL 034-2010.......5/5/2010.....1 Horse (Harassment).................Marinette
RHL 035-2010.......5/3/2010.....1 Calf ( 2-3 week old).................Marathon
RHL 036-2010.......5/8/2010.....1 Holstein Heifer.........................Price
RHL 037-2010.......5/3/2010.....1 Holstein Bull Calf......................Lincoln
RHL 038-2010.......5/10/2010...Human Health and Safety.............Lincoln
RHL 039-2010.......4/30/2010...1 Beef Calf................................Bayfield
RHL 040-2010.......5/7/2010....1 Dog (Japanese Chin) inj.............Vilas
RHL 041-2010.......5/16/2010...1 Dog ( Lab pet)........................Ashland
RHL 042-2010.......5/13/2010...1 Beef Calf................................Taylor
RHL 043-2010.......5/10/2010...1 Dog ( Spaniel/ Pitbull cross) inj...Shawano
RHL 044-2010.......4/21/2010...1 Calf (Holstein Heifer).................LangladeRHL 045-2010.......4/21/2010...1 Calf (Beef bull).........................Marathon
RHL 046-2010.......5/11/2010...3 chickens.................................Oconto
RHL 047-2010.......5/17/2010...1 Calf (Angus beef, newborn.........Burnett
RHL 048-2010.......5/19/2010...1 Dog inj...................................Price
RHL 049-2010.......5/22/2010...1 Calf (beef) inj..........................Taylor
RHL 050-2010.......5/14/2010...1 White Tailed Deer (male 4-5 old).Oneida
RHL 051-2010.......5/24/2010...1 Calf (beef) inj..........................Price
RHL 052-2010.......5/13/2010...1 Calf (month old beef)................Burnett
RHL 053-2010.......5/12/2010...1 Alpaca....................................Barron
RHL 054-2010.......5/26/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Ashland
RHL 055-2010.......5/26/2010...Human Health and Safety..............Ashland
RHL 056-2010.......5/10/2010...1 Calf (Angus beef)......................Douglas
RHL 057-2010.......5/10/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Burnet
tRHL 058-2010.......5/12/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Burnett
RHL 059-2010.......5/28/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Taylor
RHL 060-2010.......5/28/2010...Human Health and Safety...............Lincoln
RHL 061-2010.......6/1/2010.....1 Calf (Angus).............................Sawyer
RHL 062-2010.......6/3/2010.....Human Health and Safety..............Ashland
RHL 063-2010.......5/14/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Burnett
RHL 064-2010.......5/14/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Douglas
RHL 065-2010.......5/17/2010...1 Calf (beef)...............................Douglas
RHL 066-2010.......5/26/2010...1 Dog (Lab mix) inj.......................Douglas
RHL 067-2010.......5/21/2010...1 Heifer ( beef)...........................Douglas
RHL 068-2010.......6/4/2010....Threat to horses and donkeys........Marathon
RHL 069-2010.......6/3/2010....2 beef calves..............................Dunn
RHL 070-2010.......6/7/2010....1 dog (Lab/ Collie mix) injured.........Barron
RHL 071-2010.......6/10/2010..1 Calf (Holstein steer)...................Dunn
RHL 073-2010.......5/6/2010....1 Calf (beef)...............................Douglas
RHL 074-2010.......5/26/2010..1 Calf (beef)................................Douglas
RHL 075-2010.......5/29/2010..1 Calf (beef)................................Douglas
RHL 076-2010.......6/14/2010..2 horses Harrassed........................DouglasWaupun 12-2010...6/9/2010....2 dogs (Pitbulls) 1 injured...............Columbia
RHL 72-2010.........6/10/2010..1 Beef Calf..................................Price
RHL 78-2010.........6/17/2010..1 Cow (beef)...............................Langlade
RHL 79-2010.........6/15/2010..1 Beef Calf..................................Burnett
RHL 80-2010.........6/28/2010..1 bull calf...................................Menomonie
RHL 81-2010.........6/25/2010..1 bull calf...................................Lincoln
RHL 82-2010.........6/7/2010....1 Beef Calf.................................Burnett
RHL 83-2010.........6/10/2010..1 Beef Calf..................................Burnett
RHL 84-2010.........6/21/2010..1 Beef Calf..................................Douglas
RHL 85-2010.........7/5/2010....1 Beef Calf..................................Bayfield
RHL 86-2010.........6/4/2010....1 Beef Calf..................................Douglas
RHL 87-2010.........7/6/2010....5 Beef Calves..............................Rusk
RHL 88-2010.........7/6/2010....1 Beef Calf..................................Ashland
RHL 89-2010.........7/7/2010....1 Beef Calf..................................Price
RHL 90-2010.........7/6/2010....1 Beef Calf..................................Dunn
RHL 91-2010.........7/10/2010..1 Dog (Plott Hound)......................Forest
RHL 92-2010.........7/8/2010....1 Beef Calf..................................Douglas
RHL 93-2010.........7/12/2010..1 Bull Calf...................................Eau Claire
RHL 94-2010.........7/15/2010..1 Beef Calf..................................Eau ClaireWaupun
13-2010...7/12/2010..1 Heifer Calf................................JacksonWaupun
14-2010...7/16/2010..1 Guinea Hen...............................PortageWaupun
15-2010...7/20/2010..1 Goose......................................PortageWaupun
16-2010...7/24/2010..1 Dog (Malamute).........................Jackson
RHL 95-2010.........7/13/2010..1 Calf (Angus Red) injured..............Ashland
RHL 96-2010.........7/13/2010..1 Calf (beef)................................Ashland
RHL 97-2010.........7/16/2010..1 Dog ( Redtick Hound)..................Ashland
RHL 98-2010.........7/17/2010..1 Calf (Angus)..............................Bayfield
RHL 99-2010.........7/18/2010..1 Lamb and 1 Lamb injured.............Price
RHL 100-2010.......7/19/2010..4 Calves (beef).............................Rusk
RHL 101-2010.......7/20/2010..1 Calf.........................................Barro n
RHL 102-2010.......7/26/2010..6 Calves (beef).............................Barron
RHL 103-2010.......7/8/2010....5 sheep......................................Maratho n
RHL 104-2010.......7/22/2010..1 Cow and 1 Calf (beef).................Ashland
RHL 105-2010.......7/26/2010..1 Dog (Walker Hound)....................Oneida
RHL 106-2010.......7/29/2010..1 Cow (Holstein)...........................Marathon
RHL 107-2010.......7/22/2010..2 Horses Harrassed........................Douglas
RHL 108-2010.......7/23/2010..1 Calf (beef) injured.......................Ashland
RHL 109-2010.......7/29/2010..1 Calf (beef)................................Douglas
RHL 110-2010.......7/25/2010..1 Dog (Plott Hound).......................Bayfield
RHL 111-2010.......7/29/2010..1 Dog (Plott Hound).......................Bayfield
RHL 112-2010.......7/29/2010..1 Dog ( Walker Hound)...................Bayfield
RHL 113-2010.......8/2/2010....1 Calf (beef) Threat......................Bayfield
RHL 114-2010.......8/2/2010....1 Dog ( Walker Hound)...................Oconto
RHL 115-2010.......8/2/2010....1 Dog (Plott Hound) injured.............Forest
Excellent piece, Duane. Thank you for this great contribution to a cause that must be addressed in several states. Wolves are apex predators at the top of the food chain. They are killing machines that work in unison (packs). High density wolf numbers translates to low density food sources; i.e., elk, deer, moose and then as you've shown--other sources.It's okay to have wolves, but their numbers must be managed. As they continue to be listed as "endangered" even their populations are at risk. Really pleased to see this. I've retweeted you and will tweet you separately. This is very important information and America's hunters have got to get ahold of this or we soon won't have anything to hunt.
ReplyDelete~Dwayne Parsons, Sandpoint, Idaho
Thanks, and tweet away the message does need to get out there.
ReplyDeleteDuane