Wolves - The Curse That They Are

Seems to me that the wolves, like many other animals, are being used as political pawns to further someones fiscal ends, and are pushed out onto the front lines for the uneducated "sheeple" to see. Wild prey species are not the only contributer.....

Around my area (you know where that is, Gatehouse) the Cattlemen's Assoc. is still a very, very powerful lobby group. They control vast areas of grasslands, and even the property I own is part of that "free range". I cannot legally stop cows from wandering onto my land. I'd have to fence it at my own expense. (and no, fences do nothing to stop most animals from going by)

I think that if the ranchers want wolves out of the picture, they will do anything to achieve that. They are not thinking any further ahead than:

Predators all gone = lots of cows for market.
 
popcan said:
. (and no, fences do nothing to stop most animals from going by)
I think that if the ranchers want wolves out of the picture, they will do anything to achieve that. They are not thinking any further ahead than:
Predators all gone = lots of cows for market.
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Well that is a simplified answer, but from his point of view, these cattle are a financial investment.
Therefore he has a right to protect it. If he has to destroy a few wolves to compel a pack to stop eating his investment, oh well......all the power to him IMHO.
 
Brutus said:
Well that is a simplified answer, but from his point of view, these cattle are a financial investment.
Therefore he has a right to protect it. If he has to destroy a few wolves to compel a pack to stop eating his investment, oh well......all the power to him IMHO.
Click to expand...


I know what you are saying, and yes it is very simplified... there's no silver bullet to solve the issue that I can see. That is why it remains so controversial. People need to eat, create jobs, keep the economy moving.... but wolves gotta eat too! As long as we can't tell them what and where to eat, there will be an issue.
 
I am not against shooting wolves, as long as they don't go over board and wipe em all out. BUT they did seem to show alot of "RARE" fully eatter deer/elk pictures.

ALSO when the prey/killing is good they seem to eat their fav parts of the animal ie. noses, stomic contents or fetus and the back end......most animals will do this if their prey is in greater numbers because they can be a picky eatter and not go hungry from it. Anyone live by a pond or stream with raccoons near by? Same deal
 
Onegesius said:
I agree, the ranchers just don't like the compitition, they never have it cuts down on their hunting
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Being in Sudbury, your experience with Ranching would be.....?

Qualified, or Unqualified. Firsthand and personal, I mean, not what you read somewhere.

Cheers
Trev
 
Ranchers I know in Southern Alberta had a wolf problem last winter, the Fish and Wildlife guys ended up having most of the pack shot via helo in early spring. The ranchers would be fine with wolves if they stuck to elk and deer but the wolves are not dumb and will go after the food source with the least risk and greatest reward which is always domestic cattle.

They said that in previous years with large wolf numbers the pack would teach the pups to hunt by hamstringing numerous cattle that were left alive and untouched. Had to be put down by the ranchers when they found them.

I find it hard to believe that the idea that predators only feed on the weak and sick is still prevalent even among "educated" hunters and shooters. What other PETA mantras will we cling to next?

Nature is never humane, any that see only beauty in nature would be shocked to see a coyote feeding on the hind quarters of a live deer that was dragging itself into our farmyard. As a young boy it was a real shock, but in the cold SK winter the meat did not freeze and was easier to eat so the coyotes were only doing what made their job easier.
 
I dont believe in taking out any part of the food chain, including the top. A balance enforced by hunters & trappers is the best solution IMO. I believe wolves should be a quoted animal for trappers like beaver where they can`t take over a certain number, but have to keep up atleast a % of the max number.
 
As a top predator, nature wise, it is natural for us to eliminate the competition. Wolves do it to coyotes, we do it to wolves. circle of life.
 
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