Wolf Cull by Helicopter

[Osprey78]

I know this topic can be controversial, but it has to be done... I would love to hunt them but the terrain around here is so steep, mountainous and thick brushed that it can be hard to find them...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...from-helicopter-to-save-b-c-caribou-1.2904364

 

[Osprey78]

I wonder how many hunting days or outdoor experience *Ian McAllister, conservation director for Pacific Wild* has under his belt?

 

[DrMike]

Yup! I'd love to have the opportunity to even do a "ride along" on this. I learned of it some time ago. We do need to thin out the wolf population here in the South Peace.

 

[Osprey78]

I think that would be a blast (no pun intended) to ride along with them.

How are the wolves affecting your deer, elk and moose populations up there DrMike? Down here they have really affected the deer to almost non existant. An elk herd that once had about 30-40 members, now probably has less than 20. The moose, I'm not too sure about. A wolf was seen in town here as well and was confirmed to have made a deer kill not too far back. They don't need to be getting comfy in town, that's for sure.

 

[DrMike]

There is a noticeable impact on all ungulate populations. Part of that is mismanagement by the Ministry who for years attempted to manage for antler size and harvest by the GOABC (Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia). Since so much of the South Peace is agricultural land, they introduced the exaggerated kill of mule deer and elk to the point that coupled with the explosion in wolf populations, the ungulates appear severely impacted. In some of the valleys I hunted in the past, ungulate populations appear to be reduced by as much as eighty to ninety percent. While that observation is anecdotal, it is nevertheless consistent throughout many areas I've hunted for many years. It isn't bad in the mountains, but the valleys themselves see ungulate populations stressed severely. The big push for a wolf cull is the impact on cattle or sheep farming in this area. It almost appears that wolves use cattle to train their young to attack. There are significant reports of cattle hamstrung or with bellies ripped.

 

[Osprey78]

It almost appears that wolves use cattle to train their young to attack. There are significant reports of cattle hamstrung or with bellies ripped.

Whoa, whoa, whoa...I thought wolves were harmless critters that roamed the country side and ate grass too. Surely they wouldn't do a thing like that... :roll:

I went to PG a few years back and the moose (where we went) were all but non-existent. You sure could hear the wolves around though.

 

[SJB358]

NICE! Hope they get after em!

Might not be pretty, but it doesn't take long for them to make their mark!

 

[sask boy]

It seem whenever our government get involved in anything with the wildlife populations there is always a problem and then it is up to us the hunters to try to find the solution :evil:. Here in Saskatchewan they were asking for our advice but then they never follow it.
The wolf population here is just starting to get out of hand and they are now selling tags but the bear population has exploded and it is estimated that 3 out of 10 Moose calves are taken within the first 5 days by the black bears. This past fall the boys were up Moose hunting in the bush and every night they could here the wolves in one of the areas they took their rifles everytime they left the tent.

Blessings,
Dan