From MTdrahthaar Sorry to be a sarcastic jerk again,
That is all fine and dandy there Todd. But tell me something. If these wolves are the only reason for the elk and moose and deer disappearing in ID and MT, then how is it that British Columbia was able to DOUBLE its elk population in the same 10 years that our elk population tanked? How did they take their East Kootenai elk herd from 15000 to 30000 in the midst of FAR MORE WOLVES, FAR MORE BEARS, AND FAR MORE LIONS. How are they able to kill more 6 point bulls in the East Kootenai than we kill bulls in all of Region 1 in MT? Is the 49th parallel a magic line or something? What, the super-wolves can't come crawling back over I90, MT 200? Or do they just stop at the border. Oh, I know, wolves aren't as hungry in BC. Can't run as fast? Blind in one eye? Wooden noses? Arthritis? Must be some reason they have never come over the hill from Alberta into that trench north of Eureka MT, Cause I have stood a hill above the border there, and glassed to the north. It looks like the flipping serengeti up there. Or can you actually have both wolves and elk, with proper mgt of habitat and game? They have something figured out up there. Sorry to be a sarcastic jerk again, but this whole argument of subspecies is irrefutably stupid.
IMPROVING BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WILDLIFE
WOLF HARVEST MANAGEMENT STANDARDS
Management Constraints and Opportunities
Wolf populations are primarily limited by the distribution and abundance of their principal prey
species (deer, elk, moose, caribou, mountain goat, mountain sheep, and bison) and intolerance of
humans for wolves. Isolated declines have occurred in areas where wolves live adjacent to
intensive human settlements or livestock management areas. The conservation of wolves and their
habitats will be closely linked to management strategies for their prey. Wolves possess both high
reproductive and recruitment rates, which fluctuate widely in response to the abundance and
vulnerability of their prey. In addition, wolves are also highly mobile. Long term observation
supported by recent research demonstrates that wolves possess the ability to significantly reduce
and suppress principle prey populations, including large ungulates such as caribou and moose.
¨
Provincial Harvest Management Goals
In general, wolf-ungulate systems will be managed to optimize population sustainability for both
predator and prey populations, while maintaining options and opportunities for viewing, hunting,
and trapping wolves. More liberal hunting seasons may be provided in areas where wolves are
suppressing prey populations below optimal levels.
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Hunting Policy Statement
Generally, wolf harvests are incidental to hunting activities of other species. Wherever possible,
wolf hunting regulations will be kept simple, uniform with ecosystem units, and consistent over
time. Control of wolves may be essential for the maintenance of ungulate populations in some
areas. Removal of specific problem animals, where required to protect agricultural animals, will be
conducted by government personnel.
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Regulating Harvest
Wolves will normally be harvested through GOS, with adjustments in bag limits and season lengths
to regulate the harvest. Opening dates will normally start on August 1 in northern ecosystems and
on September 10 in southern ecosystems. The closing date may extend until June 15. Special
control measures to reduce wolf numbers may be necessary in areas with high wolf densities and
demonstrated prey declines, and where harvesting and trapping are not effective at regulating wolf numbers at desired levels.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documen...strategy99.pdf
15 years of wolf protection in the lower 48, are you still wondering, MTdrahthaar? A wolf is a wolf, a bear is a bear should the polar bears be brought down to the lower 48?