Those that want wolves killed at every turn publish statements like the following from Tom Remington who pens what he calls the "Black Bear Blog: .............Tom writes: "Where wolves need to be killed the most, success rates for bagging elk drops off drastically due to a lack of game"........"Not only will there not be a wolf slaughter but little will be done to reduce the population which is so vital in those places where wolves are systematically destroying ecosystems"

Idaho "Wolf Slaughter" Incredibly Predictable

 Tom Remington Black Bear Blog

Some find it astonishing that only 30 gray wolves have been killed in Idaho since the season began nearly a month ago. Shy of 9,000 resident and nonresident wolf tags have been sold and with only 30 wolves taken to date, that calculates into a success rate of .3%.

So, where is the wolf slaughter? Never going to happen. About the only interest hunters have in killing wolves is because they desire to protect their favorite hunting game, i.e. elk, moose, deer. The odds are severely stacked against hunters to spy a wolf, say nothing about a chance to shoot one. Tools available to hunters to take wolves is limited as well.

I suspect this success rate will climb somewhat as the archery elk season morphs into rifle season. Reports in the field are that wolves are responding to cow elk calls, with one report stating that calls drew in a pack of 17 wolves.

What might not be part of management discussions is the fact that those hunters seriously looking for elk, more than likely are seeking them in zones known to not be overrun with wolves. Where wolves need to be killed the most, success rates for bagging elk drops off drastically due to a lack of game.

Not only will there not be a wolf slaughter but little will be done to reduce the population which is so vital in those places where wolves are systematically destroying ecosystems.

Alternative methods of wolf control need to be implemented immediately in heavily populated wolf zones.
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