Okanagan Wolf Kill

[grammafreddy]

No, i would like wolves to live in the forest, where they usually stay.

As their numbers increase, the competition for food increases, too - and then they do not stay in the forests where they usually stay. That's when they become a problem - mostly to farmers and ranchers but they have been known to attack humans and pets. Food is food and they are not fussy eaters.

They are very cunning hunters, working in packs and separating off the weakest and smallest of their prey or attacking young lambs and calves.

Wolves will also breed with domestic dogs, making them less fearful of human contact as well as introducing rabies into their population.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_attacks_on_humans

[Rwede]

Too bad most of the responses so far have been emotional and uninformed. Time for some facts.

Hunting will never affect wolf numbers in the Okanagan. It's scientifically impossible. Most hunters will never see a wolf in their entire life, let alone get a chance to shoot one.

In order to have any effect at all on the wolf population, more than 80% of the wolves in a region must be killed every year for many years consecutively. They are extremely prolific and have large litters if their numbers are impacted by external forces.

Hunting and trapping in this region may, if very lucky, result in about 5 - 8 wolves taken in total in any year according to harvest modelling studies that have been done, and this will have no effect on the population. The population will continue to grow with this low harvest.

The idea of the season is to keep the wolves moving as they are designed to do, rather than "get comfortable" in any one area where they can do localized damage to both ungulate and livestock populations. Without hunting, wolves tend to move less, and that's when problems start with food sources being wiped out by wolf packs.

Once natural prey is scarce, wolves will turn to livestock, and then to other "easy" meals, like your dog or cat.

[fvkasm2x]

Since when is 50-100 animals in the Okanagan, a large amount?

That's nothing. If the animal was nearly wiped out here... why start killing it again if it isn't even problematic or good for food?

Sorry RWede, your "facts" are pretty useless IMO. You know darn well that wolves are not the same as coyotes and they will rarely ever venture into neighborhoods to feast on pets and children. Farm animals perhaps, but nothing where there is a decent populous.

[tazmandew]

We are taking out forest to accommodate our growing population to build fancy homes for ourselves. and in the process we are plowing down wildlife homes giving them nowhere to live but near us.

We are the worst animals, we kill things for sport rather then need. A wolf hunts for food and nothing else. In my book a wolf is more humane and more respectful of life then us and they deserve to live.

[Veovis]

It's the only area in BC that doesn't have a wolf hunt allowed, it's a very tiny amount of people that even bother to wolf hunt, and the population can sustain it (as decided by the people that know all the info)

This isn't a really big deal.

Since when is 50-100 animals in the Okanagan, a large amount?

It wasn't stated as a large amount, it was stated an an amount that will easily sustain no longer having a ban. It was also decided as such by professionals who have training in that field. Now if you are a trained specialist in regards to wolves than perhaps you could enlighten us as to why not.

[Rwede]

We are the worst animals, we kill things for sport rather then need. A wolf hunts for food and nothing else. In my book a wolf is more humane and more respectful of life then us and they deserve to live.

Incorrect. Wolves often kill for sport. Fact.

Since when is 50-100 animals in the Okanagan, a large amount?

That's nothing. If the animal was nearly wiped out here... why start killing it again if it isn't even problematic or good for food?

Sorry RWede, your "facts" are pretty useless IMO. You know darn well that wolves are not the same as coyotes and they will rarely ever venture into neighborhoods to feast on pets and children. Farm animals perhaps, but nothing where there is a decent populous.

The facts I have posted are from wildlife biologists, including Valerius Geist, the most-respected wildlife biologist in North America.

Anything else the "save the wolves" bunch has posted is emotional, not science-based fact.

[tazmandew]

Really this is no big deal?! I'm glad animals don't think this way or the "trained professional specialists" would be in trouble. Every life deserves the same respect whether they have fur or skin.

[cheeky]

When are people gonna 'get it'? We all share the same backyard.

[Rwede]

In my book a wolf is more humane and more respectful of life then us and they deserve to live.

Deleted by Trip. If people want to google it they can. but it doesn't need to be posted on the board.

[Veovis]

Really this is no big deal?! I'm glad animals don't think this way or the "trained professional specialists" would be in trouble. Every life deserves the same respect whether they have fur or skin.

No it isn't a big deal. I'm not insensitive towards animals in the least but I don't feel compelled to cry out "OMG! ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS" over everything, people can try to make this into a big deal, but it isn't. The rest of BC hasn't somehow made them extinct, but the last area with a restriction changes and it's the end of the world. Your care for the poor wolves was so intense that you didn't know those facts until the news brought them up a couple days ago, and now you love all the wolves. That's fine, but it really isn't a big deal.

The insignificant effect this will have on the wolf population won't cause any issue, and if for some reason it suprisingly does, they will simply reinstitute the ban.

[tazmandew]

Rwede.......

Ummm thats how they hunt for food. Thats how ANY animal hunts for food. After all with all the gun laws in place they are probably having a hard time getting a gun like us humans to do their killing for them

[Rwede]

Rwede.......

Ummm thats how they hunt for food. Thats how ANY animal hunts for food. After all with all the gun laws in place they are probably having a hard time getting a gun like us humans to do their killing for them

Of course it is how they hunt for food. I hunt for food with bullets. Tell me why having your innards ripped out and eaten while you're still alive is "more humane" than a single bullet that kills you in 2 seconds if you're a moose. You're the one who made the "wolves are more humane than humans" claim. Back it up now when it's challenged with fact.

[fvkasm2x]

It wasn't stated as a large amount, it was stated an an amount that will easily sustain no longer having a ban. It was also decided as such by professionals who have training in that field. Now if you are a trained specialist in regards to wolves than perhaps you could enlighten us as to why not.

Nope, not a wolf specialist. I know literature and law. If you'd like me to correct your spelling and grammar (which you need done), then I can do that... otherwise I will just stick to my opinions.

Wolfs are hunted for sport. Since there are roughly 50-150 in the area, I say let them live. Humans have made them extinct in other areas of Canada and almost in this one as well... so I'd prefer to let them multiply. I'm not a bleeding heart... I just don't see the point in killing everything that inconveniences us. They aren't food, they aren't a nuisance and they aren't a threat... so why bother killing them?

[Graham Adder]

This hunt is about as wise as those who support it.
Thinking they're part of conserving and wildlife management.
Thanks very much you psychopathic vultures, but I'm sure if the likes of you and your week minded bretheren would stop trying to tweak your way out of the mess you've created, Mother Nature would find balance just fine on her own...without your stupid-arse gun happy mushminds stomping about with loaded weapons.

I can say this with honesty:
If my dog ever were to be mistaken and shot...or trapped in a con-trap set to violently torture wolves...the owner of the offending gun or trap would be much more sorry if I get to them before I'm stopped.

[Piecemaker]

rwede has made some informed points. Actually those out in the woods this year have seen wolves in greater numbers than typical. Wildlife managment is the impetus behind hunting regulations. A careful read of the article will reveal that given the terrain and behaviour of wolves, there will be very few that are actually killed. Wolves are a risk as their numbers increase and they become accustomed to humans. It's all about balance.
Having said that, I have concerns about any form of hunting that is not humane. Traps that cause an animal to suffer are unnecessary.