Ranchers as well as Ferry County Commissioners “words” began “Targeting” wolves long before it appears…. “Bill Mclrvin” says wolves are killing a calf a Day… He should receive an award 😉
Looks like they wanted to use Traps as well…. now that’s humane isn’t it
Adjourned Meeting of the Board
Ferry County Commissioners
Tuesday July 26, 2016
The meeting was opened at 10:12 a.m. by Commissioner Davis with Commissioner Miller and
Commissioner Blankenship present.
Travis Fletcher-Range Program Manager, Forest Service
Doug Grumbach-Lone Ranch Allotment
Dave Smith-Nancy Creek Allotment
Brian Dansel-Washington State Senate 7th LP
Kevin DalBalcon-Permittee
Ray Maycumber-Sheriff
Bill Mclrvin-Diamond M Ranch
Hannah Mclrvin-Diamond M Ranch
Scott Nielson-Stevens County Cattleman Association
Len Mclrvin-Diamond M Ranch
Brenda and Ron Starkey-The View
Mr. Bill Mclrvin stated that they have hands riding the range with the cattle to keep them safe but
can’t stay out there forever. Sheriff Maycumber is willing to take action but needs to know what his
limit is within the authority of the law. Mr. Bill Mclrvin stated that the wolves are killing about a calf
a day worth $1,500 each. A wolf eats 50 pounds a week and there are 12 wolves. There have been 6
dead calves found; 3 wolf kills and 3 probable wolf kills. This is a problem in Stevens County, Pend
Oreille County, and Okanogan County as well.
Mr. Scott Nielson said to look at wolves like a pack of dogs, if it was a pack of dogs they would have
been taken care of. If this continues, there won’t be any ranchers left. Mr. Len Mclrvin stated that
they lost 40 calves on the Wedge due to wolves. They haven’t lost any more up there once the 7
wolves were taken care of. There are still wolves in the areas but with lower numbers they are
coexisting with the cattle. When wolves start harassing livestock, they won’t or can’t stay on the
allotments. They can be forced into water areas causing riparian water issues. Mr. Fletcher stated
that a partial pack removal isn’t going to change the pack behavior, it will only reduce the amount of
protein that the pack will require. There is no statistical difference between doing nothing and a
partial pack removal.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is calling this the Profanity Peak Pack. Ferry
County already has a State of Emergency Declaration, but if each county has one, it might be more
effective. If they managed the wolf numbers, we wouldn’t have to annihilate a whole pack. We need
to open a wolf hunting season. Ferry County needs to invite other counties for a coalition of
counties with a wolf State of Emergency.
Commissioner Miller made a motion that the Board declare that the entire profanity peak pack be
removed, and send a letter to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife declaring that act.
Commissioner Blankenship seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff Maycumber stated that he would be willing to sign the letter to WDFW. The Board discussed
the possibly of reworking the wolf State of Emergency with new information. According to the
WDFW wolf kills start over every year with a clean slate. Commissioner Blankenship will call
Okanogan County, Pend Oreille and Stevens County to discuss a collaboration. Mr. Hedrick stated
that the calf bones were chewed into quarter sized bone chips. The only thing left intact was the
bottom jaw bone and a piece of tail and Fish and Wildlife says there is no proof that it was a wolf
kill. The sight was scattered with bone chips and ear tags in piles of wolf scat. No other signs of
predators were found.
Discussion was held on wolf trapping. No ‘body gripping’ traps are allowed for wolf trapping.
Commissioner Blankenship asked the ranchers to do a count of how many cows that they are pretty
Commissioners Minutes July 26, 2016
Page 2Travis Fletcher-Range Program Manager, Forest Service
Doug Grumbach-Lone Ranch Allotment
Dave Smith-Nancy Creek Allotment
Brian Dansel-Washington State Senate 7th LP
Kevin DalBalcon-Permittee
Ray Maycumber-Sheriff
Bill Mclrvin-Diamond M Ranch
Hannah Mclrvin-Diamond M Ranch
Scott Nielson-Stevens County Cattleman Association
Len Mclrvin-Diamond M Ranch
Brenda and Ron Starkey-The View
Mr. Bill Mclrvin stated that they have hands riding the range with the cattle to keep them safe but
can’t stay out there forever. Sheriff Maycumber is willing to take action but needs to know what his
limit is within the authority of the law. Mr. Bill Mclrvin stated that the wolves are killing about a calf
a day worth $1,500 each. A wolf eats 50 pounds a week and there are 12 wolves. There have been 6
dead calves found; 3 wolf kills and 3 probable wolf kills. This is a problem in Stevens County, Pend
Oreille County, and Okanogan County as well.
Mr. Scott Nielson said to look at wolves like a pack of dogs, if it was a pack of dogs they would have
been taken care of. If this continues, there won’t be any ranchers left. Mr. Len Mclrvin stated that
they lost 40 calves on the Wedge due to wolves. They haven’t lost any more up there once the 7
wolves were taken care of. There are still wolves in the areas but with lower numbers they are
coexisting with the cattle. When wolves start harassing livestock, they won’t or can’t stay on the
allotments. They can be forced into water areas causing riparian water issues. Mr. Fletcher stated
that a partial pack removal isn’t going to change the pack behavior, it will only reduce the amount of
protein that the pack will require. There is no statistical difference between doing nothing and a
partial pack removal.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is calling this the Profanity Peak Pack. Ferry
County already has a State of Emergency Declaration, but if each county has one, it might be more
effective. If they managed the wolf numbers, we wouldn’t have to annihilate a whole pack. We need
to open a wolf hunting season. Ferry County needs to invite other counties for a coalition of
counties with a wolf State of Emergency.
Commissioner Miller made a motion that the Board declare that the entire profanity peak pack be
removed, and send a letter to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife declaring that act.
Commissioner Blankenship seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff Maycumber stated that he would be willing to sign the letter to WDFW. The Board discussed
the possibly of reworking the wolf State of Emergency with new information. According to the
WDFW wolf kills start over every year with a clean slate. Commissioner Blankenship will call
Okanogan County, Pend Oreille and Stevens County to discuss a collaboration. Mr. Hedrick stated
that the calf bones were chewed into quarter sized bone chips. The only thing left intact was the
bottom jaw bone and a piece of tail and Fish and Wildlife says there is no proof that it was a wolf
kill. The sight was scattered with bone chips and ear tags in piles of wolf scat. No other signs of
predators were found.
Discussion was held on wolf trapping. No ‘body gripping’ traps are allowed for wolf trapping.
Commissioner Blankenship asked the ranchers to do a count of how many cows that they are pretty
Commissioners Minutes July 26, 2016
Page 2
certain were wolf kills; probable and certain kills. The Board will use these numbers to help prove
to WDFW that this is a crisis.
Mr. Bill Mclrvin stated that they have a rider out with the cattle and they are still having kills. Mr.
Mclrvin said that they were camping in a tent and they had wolves howling and barking around
their tent all night within 30 yards of them. Hunting season on wolves wouldn’t help since wolves
hunt at night and you don’t see them, they need to be trapped. Ms. Hannah Mclrvin stated that she
is the 5′” generation of Diamond M Ranchers and the wolves are killing her chance at being a
rancher and staying on the ranch. Diamond M Ranch has been in operation for 73 years. Mr. Nielson
stated that his teenage daughter is riding the range with a pistol and a rifle for protection and he
feels that his daughter and Hannah shouldn’t be put in a position where their lives are in danger
like this.
The Board would like to put together a package and a plan, they would like to start immediately.
The letter will be carbon copied to Donny Martorella, Steve Pozzanghera, WDFW Director jim
Unsworth, Pend Oreille County, Stevens County, Okanogan County and anyone present that would
like to be included in the email.
The pups are mobile and their tracks have been found near the depredations. Mr. Hedrick stated
that there are 12 wolves in the pack, there were Blast year. Mr. Len Mclrvin asked Sheriff
Maycumber to make sure the Sheriff sees the proof of the dead wolves, not just take WDFW’s word
for it. Sheriff Maycumber stated that he and his deputies have helped them when they hunted in the
past and have seen proof of the kills. The Board would like to make a Resolution that makes it illegal
for anyone to release wolves in Ferry County.
A copy of the Letter to Washington State Fish and Wildlife Director jim Unsworth demanding for
the immediate and complete removal of the entire Profanity Peak Wolf Pack is in the file. (Ex. #2)
Source: http://www.ferry-county.com/Commissioners_Calendars/Year_2016/2016-Minutes/07-Jul/07-26-2016_Minutes.pdf