The "he said/she said" barbs/taunts and accusations hurling through the air in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming surrounding Wolves resonate with the hatred of the 17th Century Salem Witch hunt trials..............Falsehoods, bending of truths etc, etc, etc............I call on everyone to read yesterdays Post stating that 96% of all livestock deaths in the USA are caused by something other than Carnivores...........The Bitteroot Bob's of the world would have you believe that wolves are like the bubonic plague to Cattle Ranchers............Just not true!

Pro-Wolf Community Stoop to Lies & Deception

by BitterrootBob

When the truth doesn't support your cause, you resort to lies and deception. Obviously, that is the belief of the pro-wolf community. Unfortunately, the Internet has enabled anyone with a connection to become a so-called journalist. The problem is many are too lazy to complete essential interviews necessary to find all the facts or don't want factual evidence to interfere with their agenda. Such is the case with a couple of articles regarding the shooting of two wolf pups last week in the Bitterroot Valley.

The first story came out in the Ravalli Republic quoting a former government wolf trapper and depredation investigator Carter Niemeyer stating these wolf pups didn't need to die, "They would kill no livestock for at least a year or more if ever". This was an irresponsible statement considering the situation. The rancher shot and killed two wolves that had his sheep and goats rounded up. He had lost a sheep to a wolf only five weeks prior to this incident. After he shot the wolves, the rancher notified Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). An investigation was done by Joe Jaquith, FWP Warden and Joe determined the rancher acted appropriately and within Montana law. Mr. Niemeyer claims these wolves couldn't kill for a year.

These claims were not validated by the wildlife biologists I spoke with including Mitch King, retired Regional Director United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ed Bangs, retired USFWS Wolf Recovery Coordinator and Liz Bradley, Region 2 wolf biologist FWP. In fact Liz Bradley stated, "this was the inevitable end for these two pups. The pack had chosen a poor place to live and there was a history of livestock depredation."

The second article has so much wrong with it I don't even know where to begin. The article is on Wolf Watcher, a new, radical organization headed locally by Marc Cooke of Stevensville.
The first thing that strikes the reader is a picture of approximately 6 week old pups that give the reader the idea this is what was shot. The wolves that were shot were up to 45 lbs and looked nothing like this photo. The inclusion of this photograph is outright deception aimed at getting public sympathy and inciting public outcry. The article then goes on:

"It is widely accepted science that at four months old, wolf pups rely on their mother and other pack members for all nourishment; biologists believe at this young age these wolf pups could not take down prey on their own; evidence of that fact was the emaciated condition of the pups when they were found. Thus, we assert that the Hamilton pups were in no way a threat to Mr. Schram and/or his livestock and property."

Mr. Cooke, what biologists believe these wolf pups could not take down prey on their own? Where did you get the fallacy that these wolves were in an emaciated condition? When you publish articles maybe…just maybe you should actually speak to a biologist. Maybe you should speak to someone who actually investigated the incident and examined the wolves.

Mitch King, retired Regional Director USFWS wildlife biologist, said to me, "sheep and goats would be easy pickings for two 4 month old, 40 lb wolf pups

." Liz Bradley also told me, "while wolf pups this age don't normally kill, they are capable. They were larger than a full grown coyote and coyotes kill sheep every day." Liz went on to say, "these two wolves were not under-weight and were in excellent condition." Mr. Cooke, Liz Bradley is the Region 2 Wolf Biologist for FWP. Who did you speak with about their emaciated condition?

I also had a lengthy conversation with Ed Bangs. Ed does not believe these wolves were orphaned as other reports have indicated. Liz Bradley was also skeptical about them being orphaned due to their excellent condition. Mr. Bangs is certain there are still adult wolves in the vicinity of the Schram ranch that were caring for these wolves.

All three of the biologists thought Carter Niemeyer's comments were irresponsible. They were unanimous in their opinions that Mr. Schram acted not only within the law but he acted appropriately given the situation. Mr. Cooke, you assert that the Hamilton pups were in no way a threat to Mr. Schram and/or his livestock and property. The biologists I spoke with do not agree. And even if, in hindsight, there was agreement that the livestock was in no danger, it is not the responsibility of a landowner to make the judgements you and Mr. Niemeyer are claiming he should have made.

 Mr. Schram saw his livestock being rounded up by large, apex predators weeks after he lost a sheep to another predator. He acted. He acted appropriately. He acted within the law.
You say you reached out to FWP to re-investigate this incidence but were not satisfied with their response. FWP investigated and found the rancher acted appropriately and within the law. The last thing we need is to spend taxpayer dollars conducting a follow-up investigation of an incident that was so clearly appropriate and lawful!

Mr. Cooke you also add a suggested comments section with a suggested comment reading:

"I believe the Hamilton wolf pups killed by Mr. Schram were no threat to him and/or his livestock and property. I want Montana FWP to further investigate the circumstances that led to the wrongful death of these wolf pups and hold Mr. Schram accountable for his poor judgment."

I know from speaking with Liz Bradley that FWP does not release the names of people who shoot wolves or who have wolf depredation. You claim Mr. Schram used poor judgement, although not a single credible person is in agreement with you.

The people I want held accountable for poor judgement are those who released the name of the Schrams along with people like Mr. Niemeyer and yourself who have slandered the Schrams through lies and deception. This is serious business, as others in the Schram's position have received death threats along with Google maps showing the location of their homes, jobs and even their children's schools posted on line.

Now Mr. Cooke, I call on you to write a retraction to your article and replace it with facts instead of lies & deception.