One more "wolf expert" speaks out
If most Montana newspaper readers are like me, they may be getting over saturated by “Letters to the Editor” about wolves. Few of us had any idea there were so many “wolf experts” who are writing terrifying tales about how those big, wild canines will soon take over and possibly destroy civilization as they once knew it. Others compose tear-stained complaints about any control action at all. I have to apologize, but please find the patience to hear from one more “self-appointed wolf expert” … me.
Earlier this winter, government control officers had to kill 29 wolves from the Hog Heaven pack southwest of Kalispell because they were preying on ranchers’ livestock. These wolves roamed a region from Niarada, up Nine Mile, Flathead Mine, and over the divide into Browns Meadow area.
Some letters to the editor loudly decried this “senseless slaughter” while at the opposite extreme were those who claimed it was too late, the wolves had killed all the deer, elk, moose and maybe rabbits.
Having lived in the middle of that area for many years and shooting my first deer up there about 68 years ago, I’ve seen the rise and fall of all wildlife populations through many cycles. Can recall years when it seemed impossible to have a successful deer season, then others when I might pass up to 20 bucks before shooting one. Didn’t have much to do with wolves.
One of the best hunting years I recall was the fall of 1943. Hunting buddy, “Slats” Radel, and I both got big bucks after the snow fell; however, in the early part of season we observed a female wolf with two large pups of the year in the hills east of the Nine Mile road toward Lake Mary Ronan, same area where we later got those bucks. Point here is, there were wolves around in those days but they had learned to vigilantly avoid humans because they were shot on sight … when possible. Seems to me, the Fish and Game’s planned regulated wolf hunting would be the answer to current problems. The whole developing scenario has to be labeled “experimental” because one knows exactly how it will turn out.
The possibility of “controlled management” is now held up because of legal interference by pro wolf organizations whom I think are hurting themselves by being part of the problems instead of part of the solution. The state of Wyoming is doing the same thing, only at the opposite end of the “wolf spectrum.”
About the North Fork — Off and on through the years, 1930s, 1940s, there were scattered sightings of wolves, mostly in the Big Prairie area north of Polebridge on the Park side. Several were shot, including a large black male. We are all aware of Canadian wolves establishing a pack up there in the late 1980s, with devoted biologist, Diane Boyd, conducting years of study of their activity. Biologists say it was this migration from British Columbia that began the current re-spread of wolves throughout northwest Montana. That surprising event was made possible because of the “endangered species” designation creating “strict protection.” Last fall, 2008, my physically handicapped son Shannon, along with five of his friends, hunted in the North Fork. Five of them got their bucks and the sixth one had chances but was waiting for “Old Mossy Horn.” They heard wolves howling on several occasions.
A couple of final thoughts: 1. Because the citizens of this entire country have chosen through Congress to protect endangered species, including the wolves, it seems only fair all citizens should “equally” share the costs of the management expenses that legislation created, including reimbursement to ranchers for lost livestock. The states with the wolves should not be left to pay the bills alone. Have felt all along that aspect of grizzly bear situation was unfairly handled also.
2. The year is not 1809. Wildlife’s ancient pre-predator balances have been greatly altered by human activity, so to preserve representative samples of wondrous things “that used to be,” everyone with an interest in those problems should try a little harder, NO! … a lot harder, to cooperate with one another for an intelligent and fair solution. Presenting unproven rumors as truth and imaginative opinions as gospel does not really help solve very much. After all, there are a lot of people out there who will believe anything.
Got a recent news release from the state immediately east of Montana.
“Dateline-Hazen, North Dakota. This state’s worst plane disaster occurred at Hazen early last week when a Cessna two-seater 152, crashed into a Norwegian Lutheran cemetery here. Ole and Sven heading up a large search and rescue team, have recovered 86 bodies so far and expect the number to climb as digging continues into tomorrow.”
See ya next week.
G. George Ostrom is a Kalispell resident and Hungry Horse News columnist.