Colorado Wolf Introduction is getting REAL political

[Hnthrdr]

From the Restoration & Management Plan

"Releases will occur on state or private lands. The plan does not currently contemplate releases on Federal lands because CPW does not have the staffing or financial resources to undertake the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis prior to any federal land management agency authorizing releases on federal lands. CPW will attempt to select release areas that are likely to promote successful wolf recolonization, while also considering the potential for livestock or human conflicts. Specific release locations will not be made public in this Plan in order to protect private landowner information and sensitive species locations, but targeted outreach will occur with potentially affected stakeholders prior to release."

This is the dirtiest little back room trick out there, I’ve wondered If you are a stakeholder who borders a release ranch, would you have recourse to sue the state if said animals leave the private and start tearing up your herd? I mean I get if we just let the wolves naturally migrate and repopulate, but when they are planted by human actors it seems like there could be the possibility for legal repercussions from a neighbor of plant sight

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’m removed from this process and can’t speak from a position of full knowledge, but here is my impression of where things are at. Colorado, as required, has developed a recovery and management plan. That plan is currently in draft form and includes potential lethal take of problem animals. They are in the public review portion of the plan. Once finalized, the plan will then be submitted to USFWS for approval.

The USFWS will likely require some changes before approving that plan. If that happens, Colorado will need to make adjustments and resubmit.

In Michigan and Wisconsin, even though both States are substantially above the agreed upon recovery goals, and have been for the better part of 20 years, killing of wolves for livestock and pet depredation is not allowed. I can’t say with 100% certainty that the same will be true in Colorado, but it would be highly unusual for the Feds to stray from that direction.

The goal of my first post was to help people understand the background on these processes and how they can best provide meaningful input. Having done that, I’m going to back out and allow others to opine on the merits of the plan.

I appreciate your grasp on the situation, the biggest problems are 1. Colorado is controlled by 1 political party, the party head appoints people to the wildlife commission, they seem to be able to trump just about anything that biologists or anyone else says concerning wildlife, along with that the state allows broad votes on wildlife measures instead of trusting the science. 2. I think most hunters would be slightly more okay with this whole thing being thrust upon us if there was the possibility to manage the critters at a reasonable number. We have been shown that they want 0 management of the wolves ever. For a critter that gives birth to 8-10 pups a shot, has nothing to keep it in check this is a very very stupid plan going forward.

I get that some people this hunters are going down a slippery slope here, but when the 1st “man” of the state is on record saying we are putting wolves back to get rid of human hunters. I think some outrage is justified. Anti-hunting is the most elite Colonial BS out there

 

[UPThunderbolt]

From the Restoration & Management Plan

"Releases will occur on state or private lands. The plan does not currently contemplate releases on Federal lands because CPW does not have the staffing or financial resources to undertake the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis prior to any federal land management agency authorizing releases on federal lands. CPW will attempt to select release areas that are likely to promote successful wolf recolonization, while also considering the potential for livestock or human conflicts. Specific release locations will not be made public in this Plan in order to protect private landowner information and sensitive species locations, but targeted outreach will occur with potentially affected stakeholders prior to release."

The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are completely different and separate pieces of legislation. While releasing the animals does get you around NEPA, it has no impact on the requirements found in the ESA.

 

[Oldffemt]

I was mostly uneducated on the effects of human intervention on wolf populations before reading through this thread. One thing I think will affect those stats in CO is the lack of large roadless areas and the fact that game species tend to spend the winter in very close proximity to roads, cattle and horses and therefore in direct view of people against reintroduction. When I lived in southern MO the local cattle producers used hounds to flush coyotes out of the wood lots and then ran them down with atv’s and ran over them. Seems like a reasonably easy thing to do on a snowmobile, wouldn’t even need the hounds. Also, the thought of a re-introduction supporter having their little pampered pup snatched off the leash and eaten makes me chuckle. I may be broken for thinking that’s funny, but I’m at peace with it.

 

[Okhotnik]

I’m removed from this process and can’t speak from a position of full knowledge, but here is my impression of where things are at. Colorado, as required, has developed a recovery and management plan. That plan is currently in draft form and includes potential lethal take of problem animals. They are in the public review portion of the plan. Once finalized, the plan will then be submitted to USFWS for approval.

The USFWS will likely require some changes before approving that plan. If that happens, Colorado will need to make adjustments and resubmit.

In Michigan and Wisconsin, even though both States are substantially above the agreed upon recovery goals, and have been for the better part of 20 years, killing of wolves for livestock and pet depredation is not allowed. I can’t say with 100% certainty that the same will be true in Colorado, but it would be highly unusual for the Feds to stray from that direction.

The goal of my first post was to help people understand the background on these processes and how they can best provide meaningful input. Having done that, I’m going to back out and allow others to opine on the merits of the plan.

Have they ever been able to successfully manage and keep wolves at the agreed objective? Or have wolf populations soared away above the agreed objectives? Have very well funded anti hunting groups continuously filed lawsuits and fought any attempts to manage wolves once their populations have exploded and wreaked havoc on the local deer, moose and elk populations and famers' livestock?

Im just laughing at any sportsman in Colorado who thinks they will manage wolf populations based on the history of "wolf management"

 

[Okhotnik]

I was mostly uneducated on the effects of human intervention on wolf populations before reading through this thread. One thing I think will affect those stats in CO is the lack of large roadless areas and the fact that game species tend to spend the winter in very close proximity to roads, cattle and horses and therefore in direct view of people against reintroduction. When I lived in southern MO the local cattle producers used hounds to flush coyotes out of the wood lots and then ran them down with atv’s and ran over them. Seems like a reasonably easy thing to do on a snowmobile, wouldn’t even need the hounds. Also, the thought of a re-introduction supporter having their little pampered pup snatched off the leash and eaten makes me chuckle. I may be broken for thinking that’s funny, but I’m at peace with it.

Good luck chasing wolves down with snowmobiles in the mountainous western states. lol

 

[Oldffemt]

Good luck chasing wolves down with snowmobiles in the mountainous western states. lol

Ok, lol

 

[displacedtexan]

Uh, or we have jobs and lives and are trying to keep our heads above water financially and have to pick the fights we participate in. Meanwhile the pro-reintroduction folks are well funded by lefty orgs. As was said earlier, they other side has hate as a motivator. They hate hunting, they hate gun owners, they hate anything that doesn’t fall in line with their way of “thinking” and most of all they hate this country.
I live in nw co. Where a lot of the herds of deer, elk and antelope winter. There’s a buzz around this issue amongst the local families like I’ve never seen. The ranchers and outdoorsmen I know are pretty determined to have an impact on this ridiculous reintroduction. It just may not come in a “civilized or legal” manner. Rest assured, you try to destroy the way of life that these ranchers have held onto for generations, there will be a fight over it. I expect to see plenty of wolves get “hit by cars” and of course they’ll have a bullet hole in them to put them out of their misery.

But most hunters hate wolves, and people they perceive as against them.

I've got a lot of far left friends, the majority are gun owners.

 

[Okhotnik]

But most hunters hate wolves, and people they perceive as against them.

I've got a lot of far left friends, the majority are gun owners.

 

[49ereric]

Living in northern Mn I assure you wolves get shot illegally every deer season.
people with horses or livestock thin them as well and can’t blame them.
i am not a wolf hater but some years they ruin deer hunting by being in the area I hunt. lots of wolf haters here though.
“smoke a pack a day” stickers on some pickups.
the issue will never be resolved.

 

[Beendare]

Because it’s a mission by the antis to end hunting

They got the voter population (cities) who don’t know better and have no clue to pass it.

Justin nailed it…its a brilliant strategy by the Antis. Wolves kill off enough of the game and no need for hunting seasons.

Heck, just look at how effective the wolves were at bringing down the elk populations in Yellowstone. Look at the moose seasons being eliminated in Minn due to the combo of wolves and disease.

Then the cherry on the Antis pie; We are fighting amongst ourselves. Some hunters fall for the silly “Eco Balance” argument of the anti….thinking, “ Oh yeah, I’m a Environmentalist” Other make the ‘I’m not scared‘ type comments….I can live with them.

ITS NOT THAT. They are ignoring that along with wolves comes a barrage of lawsuits ( another one in Co last week) F&G time wasting and Antis coming out of the woodwork to take the reigns from the F&G to manage wildlife.

The F&G budgets will go disproportionately to wolves …and hunting revenue will decrease over time- a double whammy. Hunters that are wolf weinies don’t understand that..but the Antis sure do.

 

[displacedtexan]

Laughing doesn't change facts.

Nor does living in denial.

 

[CodeMonkey]

You know things are going in the right direction when there are people at this meeting with their pronouns proudly displayed that have no background in wildlife management.

 

[wapitibob]

Just afraid it will taken extra 10 years to draw a bull or cow elk tag like it has when they introduced wolves in Washington and just limited non resident elk hunting in Oregon after they introduced wolves.

The day you know wtf you're talking about when it comes to OR will be your first.
Oregon hasn't reduced a single tag due to wolves, nor did they limit nr hunting. In fact, OR raised the nr quota on draw tags from 3% to 5% with the exception of Antelope. The core archery Elk areas went from otc to draw, due to crowding and wanting the ability to manage hunters on a per unit basis. The new tag quotas are essentially the same as when they were otc, and NR participation in those previous otc hunt units was essentially the same as the new 5% nr limited entry quota.

 

[displacedtexan]

The day you know wtf you're talking about when it comes to OR will be your first.
Oregon hasn't reduced a single tag due to wolves, nor did they limit nr hunting. In fact, OR raised the nr quota on draw tags from 3% to a whopping 5% with the exception of Antelope.

We can't let facts get in the way.

 

[Okhotnik]

But most hunters hate wolves, and people they perceive as against them.

I've got a lot of far left friends, the majority are gun owners.

Do your far left friends love ranchers and

The day you know wtf you're talking about when it comes to OR will be your first.
Oregon hasn't reduced a single tag due to wolves, nor did they limit nr hunting. In fact, OR raised the nr quota on draw tags from 3% to a whopping 5% with the exception of Antelope.

Can non resident bow hunters still buy OTC elk tags in Oregon? I did for the past 15 years. Do they issue more bull tags in NE Oregon the past 10 years?

Whats the management objective for wolves now in Oregon? lol Can you trap predators in Oregon?

Still supporting the gun bans in Oregon? Good for you. lol

 

[Okhotnik]

We can't let facts get in the way.

All my left wing pro gun ban friends are NRA members .

 

[Okhotnik]

But most hunters hate wolves, and people they perceive as against them.

I've got a lot of far left friends, the majority are gun owners.

 

[Okhotnik]

The day you know wtf you're talking about when it comes to OR will be your first.
Oregon hasn't reduced a single tag due to wolves, nor did they limit nr hunting. In fact, OR raised the nr quota on draw tags from 3% to 5% with the exception of Antelope. The core archery Elk areas went from otc to draw, due to crowding and wanting the ability to manage hunters on a per unit basis. The new tag quotas are essentially the same as when they were otc, and NR participation in those previous otc hunt units was essentially the same as the new 5% nr limited entry quota.

Oregon Elk Draw​

Oregon made some big changes with the over-the-counter Rocky Mountain elk areas in 2022. Archery elk hunting in 13 units and 3 subunits went to a draw. All of the following archery units have gone to a draw: Murderers Creek, Northside, Heppner, Ukiah, Desolation, Starkey, Snake River, Silves, Catherine Creek, Keating, Minam, Pine Creek, Keating, lmnaha, West Beulah, Malheur River, and North Sumpter.

Are there many wolf packs in these units? lol

 

[wapitibob]

Do your far left friends love ranchers and

Can non resident bow hunters still buy OTC elk tags in Oregon? I did for the past 15 years. Do they issue more bull tags in NE Oregon the past 10 years?

Whats the management objective for wolves now in Oregon? lol Can you trap predators in Oregon?

Still supporting the gun bans in Oregon? Good for you. lol

Yes NR can still buy OTC tags in OR, open your eyes and look at the regs.
There is no top end objective for wolves in OR. Do you know of a single western state that has a top end limit?
What's measure 18 have to do with Federally regulated wolves?