With no decision made yet by Judge Molloy regarding the Northern Rocky gray wolves, the hunt in Idaho began yesterday. So far, 3 wolves have been killed. Molloy could still approve an injunction which would stop the current hunt in Idaho and prevent the hunt in Montana which is set to begin September 15th.
In Idaho alone over 9,000 tags have been sold. In Montana over 3,000 tags.
It's hard to tell what Molloy will decide. Just last week in Dillion, Montana, gray wolves killed 120 sheep in one raid! The ranch was left to one person, the owner's son, to supervise. The owner boasted that his ranch has been there for 50 years and the wolves were "intruders." (WOW! A whole 50 years. The wolves have been there for how many thousands? The ranch is the intrusion.)
In Montana, Ed Bangs, the Helena-based U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional wolf recovery coordinator said that the wolves are already being culled. With 23 percent of gray wolves in Montana being killed each year by the following:
10% By "agency control"
10% Illegally
3% Accidentally, such as by vehicles
Back in Idaho the stupid hunters are now boasting about their kills with photos of themselves with a dead wolf. Here are a couple news sites with photos.
KOMO
LA Times
I don't know how much you know about ranching and animals being pastured out. It was not like they were next to the ranch house. Did you mention the number of dogs they chewed up and spit out that were there to protect the sheep? Criticizing the rancher who suffered a great loss is not promoting your cause.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of a shepherd leaves his flock alone and vulnerable to attack? Sounds to me like this Montana sheepherder was lazy and irresponsible. Those animals suffered because he didn't do his job or hire someone to do it for him.
ReplyDeleteTrenna
ReplyDeleteDid this rancher have range riders or use electric fences? Defenders of Wildlife supplies ranchers with these through "Defenders of Wildlife Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund."