Death By Wolves And Misleading Advocacy. The Kenton Carnegie Tragedy

Reprinted with permission from the author.

On November 8th 2005 a 22-year-old honors and scholarship student in Geological Engineering, Kenton Joel Carnegie, from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, was killed in northern Saskatchewan by a pack of wolves. While he was almost certainly not the only victim of wolf predation in North America in the past century, judging from conversations with native people, and a closer review of case histories, this was the best-investigated case to date . In the process of that investigation matters were uncovered that need to be discussed as they have significant policy implications for wildlife conservation and human safety. However, we need to review what happened to Kenton Carnegie, as it is relevant to considerations following. Read more

Idaho Elk Survival Data Disturbing Yet Revealing

Recently the Idaho Department of Fish and Game released new information from its Elk Survival Study. This study began in 2005 when biologists radio-collared 673 female elk in 11 elk management zones across the state. IDFG personnel have been tracking the elk and collecting data about their survival and causes of death. While some news reports are saying the results show that despite the presence of wolves, IDFG is meeting their elk objectives. I have to disagree.

It seems more and more the trend, I would suppose coming from wolf advocates, to spin the facts about what effect the wolf is having on ungulate populations. It’s easy to claim that elk populations in the aggregate across Idaho are meeting “objectives”. But what is going on within some of the wildlife management areas? When you look more closely at the results being shared with the public, it is disturbing and tells a story. Read more

Information On Northern Rocky Mountain Wolves

This edition of The Outdoorsman focuses a lot on the 20%-plus hunting, fishing and trapping license fee increase being requested by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. As is always the case, the Outdoorsman in loaded with history and facts about wildlife management. I would like to point out that even though the Outdoorsman originates out of Idaho and much of the articles and information pertain specifically to Idaho, I subscribe to it and read it regularly because it contains a wealth of information that can be applied to most any state wildlife management programs.

If you would like to subscribe to the Outdoorsman, please use the information contained below to purchase such.

Below is an article written by the editor of the Outdoorsman, George Dovel containing updated information on the Northern Rocky Mountains gray wolf. Read more

USFWS Reinstates Protection For Wolves “In Compliance With Court Orders”

On December 11, 2008, recorded in the Federal Register, the Department of Interior, more specifically the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published the final rule that places the gray wolf in nearly all of the lower 48 states, under federal protection of the Endangered Species Act. What this final rule does, I doubt 99.999999% of Americans understand. Read more

Can We Conclude There Are More Wolves?

What a confusing mess! I guess this is another classic example of government making shambles out of anything they touch. Idaho Department of Fish and Game in their most recent wolf report shows they have confirmed wolf kills on livestock outnumbering last year. The same report shows more wolves have been killed than last year but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in September that wolf populations were on the decline in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. So what gives?

According to IDFG, since January 1, 2008 until November 24, 2008, they have 325 confirmed kills by wolves – 100 cattle, 212 sheep and 13 dogs. For all of last year, there were 278 confirmed kills – 57 cattle, 211 sheep and 10 dogs. Can we conclude that there are more wolves? Read more

Montana Shooting Sports Association President Submits Comments On Wolf Delisting

Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, has submitted his comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the public comment period required before the Service can proceed with a second attempt to remove the gray wolf from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Below is a copy of those comments. Read more

When One Judge Dictates Wolf Management

I find it very unbelievable that one judge in the United States of America wields enough power to be able to dictate his own “science” in ruling on wolf management. This is the case as I see it. Judge Donald Molloy allowed a temporary injunction that returned the gray wolf to Endangered Species Act protection last July, 2008. He gave two reasons for doing so.

One, he disliked Wyoming’s Wolf Management Plan that had been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Each of the three states, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana had to have USFWS approved plans before delisting could be considered.) Read more