Wolf Cull

[DrMike]

The wolf cull here in the South Peace district of BC has been less successful than had first been hoped. Only 73 wolves have been killed. I'll see how many I encounter this spring when I finally get out. The population has certainly surged during the past five to six years; the cull was needed. Seems to have been even less successful in the South Selkirks. Caribou in our own region have been all but wiped out. I still occasionally encounter a few caribou, but nothing like it was some years ago

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/84-wol...r-of-controversial-b-c-cull-program-1.2331623

 

[Thankful Otter]

Dr Mike, I am very sorry to hear that you and Gerry have lost your Caribou herds in that area, that is sad.

Although we do not have a problem with dwindling caribou numbers ( 150000 /200000 in the two barren ground herds, Porcupine and Forty Mile, as well as 30000 woodland ), we do have a predator problem, but not just with the wolf although they get their fair share. The eagle takes their share, as does the bear and the wolverine. We work at protecting the moose and caribou calving sites, but predators do take what they want when they are hungry.

When and how did the imbalance occur Dr Mike. Have you had an influx of wolves in your area ?

It should be noted that we share the two barren ground herds with our neighbor, Alaska and recently they go all the way into the NW Territories

 

[DrMike]

Hunters (myself included) have not taken as many predators during the past decade or so. Wolf populations have exploded in this area (as have grizzly populations), though black bear seems to be steady or even declining slightly. In part, this is due to the increase in grizzly and wolf populations, I would suggest. Grizzly populations appear to have increased primarily due to the emphasis from Vancouver/Victoria to reduce the grizzly harvest. I still see grizzlies on a regular basis whenever I'm in the field. Wolf populations have increased primarily due to a lack of emphasis on wolves as a game animal and to availability of domesticated animals in the farming areas. Eagle populations (especially golden eagles) seem steady here. Wolverine has never been excessive in this region, though the population appears to be steady. I'm of the impression that cougar populations are growing.

 

[Thankful Otter]

Thank you Dr Mike. How many wolves are you allowed to harvest each year and do you enjoy predator hunting Dr Mike ?

I will bow out here, as I did not indeed in taking this thread off subject.

Best of luck Dr mike in getting the wolf population down and the caribou population up

 

[DrMike]

A hunting licence allows three wolves per year. As you might imagine, few people fill the tag. Most hunters are opportunistic rather than deliberate in such hunts.

 

[gerry]

Dr Mike, I am very sorry to hear that you and Gerry have lost your Caribou herds in that area, that is sad.

Although we do not have a problem with dwindling caribou numbers ( 150000 /200000 in the two barren ground herds, Porcupine and Forty Mile, as well as 30000 woodland ), we do have a predator problem, but not just with the wolf although they get their fair share. The eagle takes their share, as does the bear and the wolverine. We work at protecting the moose and caribou calving sites, but predators do take what they want when they are hungry.

When and how did the imbalance occur Dr Mike. Have you had an influx of wolves in your area ?

It should be noted that we share the two barren ground herds with our neighbor, Alaska and recently they go all the way into the NW Territories

Cheyenne, DrMike lives a long way to the east of us and there are a lot more caribou there. A bunch of extremely heavy snow years in a row in the 1970's wiped most of them out. The few remaining herds to the southeast of us have been hit quite hard though by the wolves. Grizzly numbers are quite high here, along with wolves, which doesn't help the black bears, moose calves and goat kids. Even the numerous black bears here are really tough on moose calves too.