So even the Federal Judge who "greenlighted" Idaho's Wolf killing derby was not able to(thankfully)give a leg up to those participants whose goal was to shoot as many wolves as they could------Those 200 Derby entrants in Idaho came up empty over the recent two day hunt but did succeed in massacring(that is a just adjective to describe this type behaviour) 21 Coyotes................The fact that Idaho continues to liberalize it's wolf hunting season in an attempt to have only the bare Federally mandated minimum population,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The fact that there are still folks like Steve Alder(Director for Idaho wildlife) who feel that we cannot seem to kill enough wolves-----even with "Predator Derbys", makes me wonder if our elementary, middle and High Schools should require all of us to learn about the the circle of life and why all species including carnivores have a role to play in keeping our planet functioning in an optimum way----and yes, not detract from our economic pursuits...........The "Predator Derby" folks do not seem to understand that while sheer number of carnivores might not get reduced over a hunting season, the disruption of Pack behavior through our persecution often leads to increased conflicts with both us and our livestock.........Many of you will find this Posting disheartening but it is important to understand that a deeply ingrained "we have a right to kill wolves, bears, coyotes, pumas, et al.exists not only in the Rocky Mountain States,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but everywhere in our great land(Coyote killing derbys in NY, etc).............For many people, it is their literal interpretation of many bible passages that infer that all living things are here for us................For others, it is about economics and business and anything that gets in the way of those pursuits must be eliminated.................And for untold millions, it is ignorance and fear regarding having to co-exist with creatures who could kill us and our pets.....................Let us re-double our efforts of educating the public about wildlife and natural systems in 2014 and not just point fingers at those that we deem "off the grid"-------If we really want to succeed at rewilding and not just talk about It, then all the enviro Organizations need to mobilize and utilize every type medium to reshape the discussion from the current carnivores are in the way of progress to there can only be real progress when carnivores are back fulfilling their intended ecological functions---------------Education is the only way to wear down the prejudices and misconceptions that only seem to be growing in the first 13 years of the new Century

Steve Alder
Idaho For Wildlife

Web:   http://www.idahoforwildlife.com/
Email: steve@idahoforwildlife.com

 Idaho For Wildlife Predator Derby results

By  Steve Alder, Director for  Idaho for Wildlife

December 29. 2013 5:05 PM

ZERO wolves were harvested during this predator derby!  21 Coyotes were taken.

We had over 200 hunters in the field for two days. Let this be an educational moment for the radical anti-hunter environmental groups. Sport hunting for wolves is not a very effective tool to manage wolves. This is why IDFG has implemented trapping and other control methods to better manage wolves. World renowned wolf expert Dr. David Mech has admitted, "That to hold a wolf population stationary it requires an annual take of 28-50% per year." Dr. Mech also stated that "Normal regulated public harvest such as is contemplated in the NRM is usually unable to reduce wolf populations. IDFG's own 2011 Idaho IDFG Predation management Plan for the Lolo and Selway Elk Zones that isn't being followed claims, "Wolf removal rates of 30-35% or less typically do not cause any long-term changes in wolf abundance, while sustained removals of 40% or more may cause long-term reductions."

 I can assure you that in the last two days while  this derby was taking place, more wolves and wolf pups died in Idaho's back country due to starvation and or cannibalism from other wolves due to the depleted prey base. Since the well being of wolves is predicated on the ungulate prey base, once that prey base is eliminated, the wolves will kill themselves off or starve. They do not self regulate.  The urbanites and wolf advocates need to understand the ungulate prey base controls wolves. Wolves do not control the prey. This is why wolves must be controlled and yes killed!

 A picture that disheartens----kill as many Wolves as you can(not from this Derby, another hunt)

Attached are elk hunter harvest graphs in the vicinity of where the Salmon wolf derby took place. These graphs contain elk harvest numbers from  1989-2012. This data reveals why Salmon Sportsmen are frustrated with the damages caused by wolves.  The average Salmon medium household income is approximately $12,000 below the average Idaho income. In 2009, the income of Salmon residents was 35.5% below the national poverty level.                   

Elk are very important to rural  Idahoans. Sustenance hunting is still very crucial to those who are financially strapped.  The Attached PDF, (Wolves) contains a 2009 study that suggests wolves are costing  Idaho approximately  7-24 million per year in revenue.  Idaho Fish and game revenues are down considerably for this reason. It is estimated that each elk provides an average of $750.00 in value to Idahoans.

We want to apologize in advance to the radical anti-hunting enviro's. We will not be publishing or flaunting  any photos of dead animals so you can exploit this opportunity to play upon the emotions of the naïve for your next fund raising campaign.

Best Regards,

Steve