Wolf attack

[Murphdog]

I was just notified that there will be a press conference in Kalsipell at 5:30 this afternoon (Thursday Nov 4th). The subject is that two hunters retreiving an elk were attacked by a pack of wolves. One of the hunters was injuried when the horses panicked. From the limited information that I recieved it sounds like the wolves were unaffected by firing shots in the air and until they started shoot at the wolves they would not back off. I have no other details. The attack took place in the South Fork of the Flathead. The elk was abandoned. For those of you planning on hunting in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in places with wolves be aware these wolves have not had much hunting pressure and they are slowly but surely loosing their fear of humans. In addition the population of wolves is very high and to the point it is out pacing their prey base.

For those of you in Western Montana our local Stockman's Association is having an informational meeting on Monday Nov 8, at the Ronan Community Center. It is a townhall style meeting to discuss the current wolf status after the court ruling placing them back on the Endangered Species Act. The status of the appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Pending legislation in congress. We are strongly encouraging hunters and outdoor enthusiast to attended.

Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have worked very hard for along time to bring their respected big game populations to the status of world class hunting opportunities. In 15 years the wolves have wiped those gains out. Many of the elk herds are not producing enough calves to sustain the population. We are in trouble with the fate of our elk in the hands of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Not a good place to be.

Thanks

Terry Murphy

 

[DrMike]

It will shortly be necessary to practise SSS (if it isn't already being practised). Wolves are predators. When they are not hunted, they quickly lose their fear of man.

 

[velvetant]

what's "SSS"

 

[DrMike]

SSS="shoot, shovel and shut up"

 

[SJB358]

SSS="shoot, shovel and shut up"

All around the area where I hunt in Idaho, there are those same signs and it is practiced, but not by enough folks. Hope the levee breaks soon with the wolves. It is ridiculous. Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

SSS="shoot, shovel and shut up" :lol: :evil:
Doc...that is pretty good!!! Have heard of a few other methods that bend the rules, but are effective as well. We can all carry an e-tool in our backpacks to make quick work of the job.

 

[SJB358]

Who doesn't carry an etool! Isn't that on everybodys pack list? Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

At least most of us goofy jarheads do :lol:

 

[SJB358]

Well yeah, it is like a mobile perch if you need to go #2, the new ones have a good serrated blade (made by Gerber), and most of all, they are great little shovels if you ever need to dig a skirmishers trench in case you didn't bring enough gun and the animals make a run at your position! Scotty

 

[Murphdog]

The key to making SSS work is the shutup part; you can not tell anyone if you don't want to have a knock at your door. I would much rather see the species managed based upon sound science. However nothing is sound when dealing with the ESA. You can not govern against the will of the people and not have repercussions. What a waste

 

[DrMike]

Terry,

All of us would rather see the species managed. However, politics prevails. You are correct in your assessment that government against the will of the people invites dissent of one form or another.

 

[Elkman]

I had an E-tool in 1963 I think I may have lost it. Thank goodness!!!!

No Scotty I do not want one!!

 

[JD338]

The key to making SSS work is the shutup part; you can not tell anyone if you don't want to have a knock at your door. I would much rather see the species managed based upon sound science. However nothing is sound when dealing with the ESA. You can not govern against the will of the people and not have repercussions. What a waste

Exactly!

JD338

 

[OldMan]

I believe it is unwise to practice the SSS method. Too many cell phones and too many people running around watching for this, trail cams are everywhere, planes in the air, most packs have collared animals so they can follow them. Ranchers are told to call the game commission to report wolves, not to protect the ranchers, but to collar the wolves to protect them. One rancher that did call them was immediately asked for all the serial numbers of his firearms. So what should we do? Don't go near a wolf that has been shot, just leave the area. A shot through the guts with a non-expanding bullet ?? What a shame it must come to this!!!! Where are the goverment trappers when you need them?

 

[JD338]

You hit the nail on the head! The problem is the government, they don't understand the concept of game management.

JD338

 

[Nomad]

Say what you want, but last year one of my sons was hunting outside of Stanley, Idaho.
Was chased by a wolf as it came out of the woods while he was returning to camp.......A problem
some think so to include our family......

 

[Guy Miner]

The doggone things were nearly wiped out for good reason a hundred years ago. Now they're back, courtesy of the ultra-greens and our government, with appointed judges.

I'd simply like to see them managed, along with the grizzly, as any other North American big game species, via hunting.

The only problem that I see with SSS is that some good people could get in a lot of trouble, and it seems a shame to have to hide from our own government. BTW - Idaho has been trying to curtail the growing wolf population for years. I ran across this sign several years ago, hiking there, in a wilderness area:

 

[SJB358]

What Wilderness Area were you in Guy? I know up in the Frank Church, there are alot of wolves. They haven't destroyed the elk, but they have thinned them down alot. I know most of the small towns up in that area, really do not appreciate wolves at ALL! Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Top of the food chain! :evil:

 

[bullet]

Just keeping things to myelf