Wolf killed in Colorado

[castandblast]

I'm fine with testing to determine the origin, but the idea that the guy should have been able to ID the critter prior to dumping it and could be charged while the experts aren't sure without DNA is ludicrous.

 

[Bar]

DNA changes when they're brought up in a kennel? Don't think so.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I'm fine with testing to determine the origin, but the idea that the guy should have been able to ID the critter prior to dumping it and could be charged while the experts aren't sure without DNA is ludicrous.

The initial article I read stated that both the CO officer and the AK bio confirmed it as a wolf.

 

[BroodBuster]

Dna doesn't change if raised in a kennel but it would lead back to the kennel mama. But in this case it will lead back to a wild pack from some neighboring state.

This is classic dispersion behavior for wolves. As the pack is raising the next litter young males are kicked out of the pack (or killed by the Alpha if they don't get the memo) and thus begin the great lonely wander in search of a mate and thus establishing their own pack. It's how wolves roll and should not be a surprise to anyone. OR7 has wandered over a 1000 miles and into or thru four states so this is SOP.

But it's so much more fun blaming natural wolf behavior on some conspiracy or another. Funny that in this case it's greenies from Florida. Here in Wa Warehouser has been planting wolves in SE Wa for 20 years now because the elk eat all the little fir trees.

BTW for all of you who want to see wolves dumped into the middle of liberal utopia cities a wolf was recently caught on camera in Snoqualmie wich is where all the software millionaire live. This is the first documented wolf in western Wa (despite the fact Warehouser has been planting them for 20 years now but that's all hush hush) but is just a short hop from the Teaneway pack.

But alas ya'll be happy to know he was smooshed by a pickup truck trying to cross I90.

As for this hunter Id hope coyote hunters can tell the difference between a wolf and a coyote but since he did the right thing and called it in he should not get anything more than a small fine if even that.

 

[MuleyFever]

DNA changes when they're brought up in a kennel? Don't think so.

I believe each pack would have a different DNA signature. They would be able to know where it came from.

 

[Bar]

I believe each pack would have a different DNA signature. They would be able to know where it came from.

If DNA could be altered it would be worthless in court. Yes, it could lead to the parents, but the DNA in itself can't tell you where the wolf was brought up.

 

[MuleyFever]

Well they wouldnt know if was from Shreks greenies in FL but they would know if it was from one of the packs in the area.

 

[mtmiller]

I don't think or have heard that people are raising wolves for release into the wild. I know they are because they'll tell you they are and the state of Florida killed one that escaped when the greenies called them to help capture it since it was raised wild and they weren't able to catch it. Whether they are being dumped in Colorado , Oregon , or wherever I don't know. Wolves may aslo be migrating there but there is a lot of Wyoming ranch land to cross to get there.

The folks may be a little kooky, but no where does it mention they are planning to repopulate the west with their domestic wolves.

I am not too worried about their "wild" wolves. If they were released, I don't think they would last long. Shrek, if you have info to the contrary, I am all ears.

Once again, "too funny".

http://www.seacrestwolfpreserve.org/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=9

http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Escaped-Wolf-Killed-By-FWC-258686701.html

 

[castandblast]

"DNA test on slain wolf-like canine may prompt probe of Colorado hunter"
The title of the article the OP linked to sure makes it sound like the DNA test is the factor that will decide if hegets charged or not, as well as their uncertainty that its a wolf.

 

[Shrek]

Mtmiller , I hadn't seen their website but was getting my information from a FWC senior employee I know from growing up in Tallahassee. He's the one who is telling me that they are raising wolves away from humans for reintroduction. He had to deal with the mess and said the woman running it was in fact a nut job and I agree that they probably die quickly if they are releasing them but I'm sure a few make it. The agenda and efforts are real and but for the fact that most of the greenies are half baked fruitloops they would be more successful. That outreach and soft cuddly stuff is the reasonable front but the real objective is further the spread of the vermin by any means necessary.

 

[rayporter]

there used to be a nut job raising wolves in ohio. they did not live with in 10 miles of the wolves and went to feed them every few days. the problem finally went away. but it lasted for several years. their agenda i knew nothing of. but it would sure be easy to guess- nut jobs is being very kind. it was a nightmare to get rid of them, too.

 

[Jason Snyder]

The officer brought the carcass to CPW’s office in Hot Sulphur Springs where it was inspected further by additional agency personnel. The Area Wildlife Manager invited a biologist from Alaska, who coincidentally was attending the 49th North American Moose Conference and Workshop in Kremmling, to visually inspect the carcass.
Based on the initial, visual inspection by CPW personnel and the biologist from Alaska, the animal appeared to be a wild, male gray wolf, weighing approximately 90 lbs ...
The animal did not have a collar, ear tag or PIT tag when it was inspected.

http://www.postindependent.com/news/16357706-113/animal-shot-near-kremmling-might-be-a-wolf

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

It does sound like the deciding factor will be the DNA test comes in. I would say that if its even .01% coyote or dog it is not a wolf so the hunter will be fine. Regardless this hunter may need backed as the hunter did the right thing by calling in. The three Ss doesn't apply here.

 

[In God We Trust]

If they charge this guy then that will be the end of people reporting accidental kills here in Colorado. From here on out it will be SSS. I hope they do the right thing and leave the guy alone. After all the Colorado Parks and Wildlife have maintained that there are no wolves in Colorado so this can't be a wolf!

 

[arffdog875]

I realize that actually admitting CO has wolves would be opening up a huge powder keg, but after numerous credible reports, for many years now you would think Parks and wildlife would have a plan on managing the wolf instead of burying its head in the sand. Like In God We Trust said... I hope they leave this guy alone, otherwise nobody will report accidental kills... MHO.

 

[SDC]

I hunted not too far from there several years ago. My hunting partner and I were WAY back in one of the Wilderness areas there and the canine tracks we saw were definitely not from something 50 lbs and smaller.

That said, and this is not taking a side in the wolf/no-wolf debate, the CO hunters story just doesn't wash. If you can't tell the difference between a 90 lbs canine and a 40 lbs canine, you probably need a hunter ed refresher course (at the very least). That, or he shot knowing what it was he was shooting at and is trying to pass it off as mistaken identity.

TraderMike has it exactly right. The genetic testing is not being done to confirm whether it was a wolf, but rather where the wolf came from.

 

[MuleyFever]

That said, and this is not taking a side in the wolf/no-wolf debate, the CO hunters story just doesn't wash. If you can't tell the difference between a 90 lbs canine and a 40 lbs canine, you probably need a hunter ed refresher course (at the very least). That, or he shot knowing what it was he was shooting at and is trying to pass it off as mistaken identity.

I disagree. We dont know the specifics of the kill. Was it standing in chest high sage? Running? How far was the shot? When hunting coyotes you dont take the time to judge their height and weight or you may not get the shot. This was a small wolf and a big coyote can go over 50#, I believe the record is 75#. That and in areas where you dont expect to see a wolf your mind just doesnt try to make that connection.

 

[Mike7]

In the Pacific NW and Inland NW, all of the wolves and coyotes that I have seen alive or dead, have seemed to be fairly easy to tell the difference between. But I found a road killed dog in Northern Ohio back in the 90s that was every bit of 55-60 lbs and had both what I would call coyote and wolf features. The coat was very reddish in coloration. I later red about mixed wolf/yote genetics in eastern coyotes. This isn't likely representative of Colorado coyotes...although I don't know anything about coyotes there. Just sayin' that it is not easy to discern a coyote from a wolf everywhere in the US.

 

[SDC]

I disagree. We dont know the specifics of the kill. Was it standing in chest high sage? Running? How far was the shot? When hunting coyotes you dont take the time to judge their height and weight or you may not get the shot. This was a small wolf and a big coyote can go over 50#, I believe the record is 75#. That and in areas where you dont expect to see a wolf your mind just doesnt try to make that connection.

An average CO coyote, from discussions with biologists and trappers from that area will go 30-40 lbs. In the East, yeah, we get coyotes that are easily over 50 and I've seen New England "coyotes" that were over 70. I agree that in an area you don't expect to see something that seeing it doesn't make sense. The difference between 30-40 lbs and 90 lbs is pretty darn stark, though.

 

[Murdy]

People's problems with field judging animals with just about every other species are well documented--why not coyotes?