Upon seeing news about a pair of wolves seen on trail cams near Mount Hood, the happiness was immediately replaced with concern as we saw this news spread everywhere. Most of us have seen how much livestock producers hate them and want them killed so they don’t have to do anything. However, we do know that there is at least one ethical livestock producer that is willing to try various deterrents. On January 4th, 10th and 11th of 2018, there were unfortunately 3 depredations that took place at the Mill-Mar Ranch on private property. Fish and Wildlife GPS-collar data showed OR-54 from the Rogue pack had been in the area when the depredations occurred. The Rogue pack was established in 2014, when the famous wandering wolf OR-7 and his mate had their first litter of pups. OR-54, an 80-pound female, is believed to be directly related to OR-7
After the third calf was killed, John Stephenson with U.S.Fish and Wildlife remained at the ranch in his truck, with a spotlight and shotgun to haze wolves should they return.
“It did appear Thursday night that they were coming back to the ranch that evening, and then redirected,” Stephenson said. “I think it’s likely they were coming down and saw my headlights, spotlight and human activity, and took off and went somewhere else.”
They were clearly afraid of the lights and human presence. Wolves have a genuine fear of anything new. This behavior makes many nonlethal management tools like fladry (fencing with strips of fabric or colored flags that will flap in a breeze) possible for wild wolves as well as RAG devices. There are many more deterrents available and would be very effective to use a combination if even necessary(and rotate) The foxlights night predator deterrent and night predator control lights have been very effective at deterring most predators, including wolves.
The owner of Mill-Ranch seems willing to try some different non-lethal methods. The majority of the American people want wolves protected and have no respect for ranchers that are killing our wildlife. It is a smart and ethical way to do business. We commend and have genuine respect for him and others that make efforts and choose not to kill wolves as a solution.
But going back to the way most ranchers believe in in killing as a solution–they want them delisted so they can do as they please. Most of us are very worried about what could happen to wolves just as they are beginning to recover. Currently, there are only about 112 wolves in the entire state.
After the latest depredations and news of 2 wolves seen near Mount Hood, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association keeps calling and insisting they want to change how wolves are managed on the west side of the state, where the animals remain listed as endangered. Wolves are protected under ESA west of highways 395-78-95 are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. We have seen the comments from many wolf-hating ranchers as well as some of the wolf haters in some communities in the northeast part of the state. We have also seen very disturbing comments from hunters that kill for pleasure from many areas expressing how they would love to kill wolves. Including some that want them to feel excruciating pain by trapping them before killing.
Many of us have wanted to see a new and revised Wolf Management Plan that would benefit wolves and our ecosystems. There is a draft available on the ODFW website now. What is so alarming is that there is a proposal that could allow the public to hunt “problem wolves” — animals that attack livestock or cause a major decline in game populations (we know that would not be wolves) — This has become a flashpoint in negotiations over revisions to Oregon’s wolf plan. The hunting proposed will result in annual wolf killing — the very reason this species was wiped out from the Lower 48 states. As I said before, they want them wiped out.
Then we have Dominic Aiello, president of Oregon Outdoor Council, saying he is worried that if we have more wolves in the state it may have an adverse impact on other animals in the ecosystem. What? Evidently, he is unaware of the importance of wolves for our ecosystems. Another that does not follow the science. But this is coming from a hunting group.
Even Todd Nash, (a range rider) and wolf-hating rancher from Enterprise, said he thought allowing the public to hunt could alleviate some of the frustration rural residents have felt with the arrival of wolves. How sick is that? What the hell is wrong with these people? Why on God’s green earth would Nash even be counted as a ranger rider and paid to do it? The ranchers that have their cattle out roaming all over our public lands without fencing ought to be doing this anyway. We have known of this and we still find it completely unfair to wolves and he should not be trusted. We have seen TONS of comments that many to just shoot, shovel, shut up (SSS ) as it is! Oregon is notorious for poaching incidents.
It appears that ODFW is in favor of the wolf hunts. Could it be they are thinking about profits from selling the wolf-hunting licenses? What is come down to is money and pandering to the OCA. They are eager to kill and so are the sadistic hunters and trappers.
PLEASE CALL GOVERNER BROWN AND TELL HER HOW IMPORTANT WOLVES ARE TO OUR ECOSYSTEMS AND TOURISM. Phone: (503) 378-4582 http://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/share-your-opinion.aspx
~L.G
Comments
Pingback: What is the fate for our wolves in Oregon? | Protect The Wolves