Hunting wolves
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Wolves devastate ranchers’ sheep
Dillon-area family loses 120 animals in attacks
Nick Gevock Montana Standard Aug 27, 2009 0
BUTTE - Kathy Konen has lost guard dogs to wolves in the past, but nothing prepared the Dillon rancher for the killing of 120 buck sheep last week.
"They were in the sagebrush, on the creek bottom - just all over the pasture," Konen said Thursday. "It's a terrible loss to our livestock program."
Konen said they discovered the attack Aug. 16 while checking their sheep in the Rock Creek drainage of the Blacktail Mountains south of Dillon, where they pasture buck sheep in summer. She said they check their sheep every two or three days, so the attack was recent.
She and her husband, Jon, immediately called officials with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which sent out a federal trapper to investigate the scene.
The trapper found numerous carcasses of sheep that had been killed by wolves, said Carolyn Sime, FWP wolf program coordinator. The total included 82 confirmed kills and 40 carcasses that were classified as probable kills, including some that had been eaten by bears. The attack occurred on private land the Konens own.
"That's a lot all in one incident," Sime said.
The sheep were just killed and yet the carcasses were almost all intact, Konen said.
"They didn't eat what they killed, most of them were just brought down," she said. "I don't know whether they were teaching their pups or what."
It's not the first attack that the Konens have had this summer. They lost 26 sheep to wolves in the same pasture in July, she said. After that attack, FWP authorized federal trappers to remove three wolves that had been observed in the area. Trappers shot and killed a gray-coated wolf and shot another black one that got away but was believed to be mortally wounded. The third wolf, another black one, got away.
Sime said that when the latest attack occurred, they figured it involved the same wolves, which were from an unknown pack. Trappers were looking for two black wolves but instead spotted the Centennial Pack nearby.
That pack consisted of two collared adults, a third adult and five pups and had not caused problems with livestock before.
Sime said they authorized trappers to shoot the uncollared adult, which they did, while still looking for the black wolves that are authorized to be killed. They have yet to find the black wolves.
Konen said they wanted the entire pack wiped out given the severity of the attack, although their request was denied.
"They've done enough damage to say that they need to be eliminated," she said. "We have cows and sheep up there right next to where the sheep were killed."
Since then, the Konens have found a calf that was attacked nearby, which investigators are looking into. She said they fear the wolves will strike again, this time on the cattle they have pastured in the same area.
Sime said there has been wolf activity in the area in recent years. Last year, trappers eliminated the Freezeout Pack in the Gravelleys not far away and wolves are known to inhabit the Blacktails.
She said officials asked whether the Konens had taken steps to protect livestock from wolves, including electric fencing, dogs, herders or fladry lines, but they declined. Sime said wolves will inevitably return to the area.
The Konens have applied to the Montana Livestock Loss Program to get reimbursement for the sheep. The program pays up to $350 for buck sheep and can reimburse more if a rancher can show the animals were of higher value.
In the meantime, the plan is to try to replace the sheep, Konen said.
"There are a few sales in September and we'll have to go and just try to make up the loss," she said.
Wolves devastate ranchers’ sheep
Dillon-area family loses 120 animals in attacks
Nick Gevock Montana Standard Aug 27, 2009 0
BUTTE - Kathy Konen has lost guard dogs to wolves in the past, but nothing prepared the Dillon rancher for the killing of 120 buck sheep last week.
"They were in the sagebrush, on the creek bottom - just all over the pasture," Konen said Thursday. "It's a terrible loss to our livestock program."
Konen said they discovered the attack Aug. 16 while checking their sheep in the Rock Creek drainage of the Blacktail Mountains south of Dillon, where they pasture buck sheep in summer. She said they check their sheep every two or three days, so the attack was recent.
She and her husband, Jon, immediately called officials with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which sent out a federal trapper to investigate the scene.
The trapper found numerous carcasses of sheep that had been killed by wolves, said Carolyn Sime, FWP wolf program coordinator. The total included 82 confirmed kills and 40 carcasses that were classified as probable kills, including some that had been eaten by bears. The attack occurred on private land the Konens own.
"That's a lot all in one incident," Sime said.
The sheep were just killed and yet the carcasses were almost all intact, Konen said.
"They didn't eat what they killed, most of them were just brought down," she said. "I don't know whether they were teaching their pups or what."
It's not the first attack that the Konens have had this summer. They lost 26 sheep to wolves in the same pasture in July, she said. After that attack, FWP authorized federal trappers to remove three wolves that had been observed in the area. Trappers shot and killed a gray-coated wolf and shot another black one that got away but was believed to be mortally wounded. The third wolf, another black one, got away.
Sime said that when the latest attack occurred, they figured it involved the same wolves, which were from an unknown pack. Trappers were looking for two black wolves but instead spotted the Centennial Pack nearby.
That pack consisted of two collared adults, a third adult and five pups and had not caused problems with livestock before.
Sime said they authorized trappers to shoot the uncollared adult, which they did, while still looking for the black wolves that are authorized to be killed. They have yet to find the black wolves.
Konen said they wanted the entire pack wiped out given the severity of the attack, although their request was denied.
"They've done enough damage to say that they need to be eliminated," she said. "We have cows and sheep up there right next to where the sheep were killed."
Since then, the Konens have found a calf that was attacked nearby, which investigators are looking into. She said they fear the wolves will strike again, this time on the cattle they have pastured in the same area.
Sime said there has been wolf activity in the area in recent years. Last year, trappers eliminated the Freezeout Pack in the Gravelleys not far away and wolves are known to inhabit the Blacktails.
She said officials asked whether the Konens had taken steps to protect livestock from wolves, including electric fencing, dogs, herders or fladry lines, but they declined. Sime said wolves will inevitably return to the area.
The Konens have applied to the Montana Livestock Loss Program to get reimbursement for the sheep. The program pays up to $350 for buck sheep and can reimburse more if a rancher can show the animals were of higher value.
In the meantime, the plan is to try to replace the sheep, Konen said.
"There are a few sales in September and we'll have to go and just try to make up the loss," she said.
Check out how US Fish and Game (or whatever they're called this week) introduced Canadian grey wolves from northern BC into Idaho. They first destroyed the native wolf population (a smaller wolf species) then went on to destroy ungulate populations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. This invasive wolf species all but destroyed the massive caribou and elk herds in Yellowstone Park.
This of course did major damage to the outfitter businesses as well as support industries. When the ungulate populations became low enough these grey wolves started attacking ranch animals.
All the while the gov. were of course protecting the wolves and not the hunting and ranch industries.
Check out the excellent documentation and video's by Scott Rockholm. He and Bruce Hemming did countless radio programs on this topic several years ago.
These guys are NOT tree hugger liberal idiots before anyone gets that idea. They are trying to preserve hunting and trapping for all of us.
You can think and type on the internet whatever yer heart pleases.... But don't even pretend to tell a guy like myself that I musta been confused LOL I know dogs, and I know agressive dogs very well, their demeanor, body language and the look in their eye when they are fixed to attack. A wolf to me is in the simplest terms, a dog.
So , to have wolves come from 40 yards away and up a slope, with many options for routes to go.... They chose to charge me. Only a fool would try and start any kind of discussion suggesting otherwise.
I don't make up tall tales, I don't exagerate my hunting successes..... I was charged by wolves, big deal. I defended myself and didn't get eaten.... Hooray for me and again... Big deal.
Let's get back to talking about hunting wolves........
Don't doubt your story for a second 45ACPKING. Its like bear defense threads....I read all kinds of bull####. But if you've had a bear charge at you from close range and had to shoot it or get chomped on you know which opinions and advice are total hogwash.
Defending yourself against wolves = semi auto (ideally), lots of ammo and NEVER underestimate them or assume what they "typically" or "always do".
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silver bullet
CGN Regular
- Location
- Caledon, Ontario
I just watched the movie "The Grey" last night with Liam Neeson.
STAY VERY FAR AWAY.
STAY VERY FAR AWAY.
I decided that 3 minutes into the movie, surprised you watched it all.
Talk about crap, but about what you'd expect from Hollywood. Grizz
silver bullet
CGN Regular
- Location
- Caledon, Ontario
It's one of those "hmmmmmm" movies. I hated the ending.
I guess it wouldn't make much of a movie if the wolves just stayed clear of the humans.
I guess it wouldn't make much of a movie if the wolves just stayed clear of the humans.
I decided that 3 minutes into the movie, surprised you watched it all.
Grizz
Liam Neeson is on my NO WATCH list....he is strong Anti
this, you said it better than i ....
silver bullet
CGN Regular
- Location
- Caledon, Ontario
Amazing isn't it, that he's an anti, when you consider the type of movies he's made.
And to think he's "got a particular set of skills he's developed over a lifetime...."
And to think he's "got a particular set of skills he's developed over a lifetime...."
ya, portraying a tough guy that is a professional with firearms in his movies, making piles of money off it and then being an Anti...... just makes him a rich hypocrite.
I've enjoyed some of the movies he's been in but I swear if I hear about another "taken" movie I'm gonna puke..... my wife loves those movies LOL
now, as for the hunting of wolves......
hunting over bait seems to be the preferred or "best" tactic ?
I'd also like to hear about gear choices, how guys set up their blinds, what keeps you comfortable in the winter....... and of course the guns, ammo and optics.
I'm always in the mood to add another useful rifle to the stable and was thinking of a 7mm-08 for the wife for deer but maybe it could double as a wolf rifle?
I'd like to get something that puts them down hard but doesn't trash the fur.
hunting over bait seems to be the preferred or "best" tactic ?
I'd also like to hear about gear choices, how guys set up their blinds, what keeps you comfortable in the winter....... and of course the guns, ammo and optics.
I'm always in the mood to add another useful rifle to the stable and was thinking of a 7mm-08 for the wife for deer but maybe it could double as a wolf rifle?
I'd like to get something that puts them down hard but doesn't trash the fur.
- Location
- West Quebec
Some of the PITA folks should visit there maybe as bait.. just joking
