I'm often asked what my solution is to the wolf issue in America. It's not an easy answer. Truth be told, my honest answer for what I want is "Let the wolves expand; reintroduce them to formal range; don't allow any kind of hunting". But I know that's not realistic. I spend a lot of time bashing anti-wolf people, but pro-wolf people have their faults and perhaps the biggest is that many push for absolutely no wolf killing, no sort of compromise with ranchers, and so on. Do I think that ranchers don't always use the tools needed to peacefully coexist with wolves? Do I think many wolf hunters are unsportsmanlike? Yes. Do I think we're going to make progress without keeping their interests in mind? No.
The suggestions below are still being formulated as my research progresses.
The suggestions below are still being formulated as my research progresses.
My Suggestions
On wolf reintroduction...
Option One:
On ranchers...
- Continue allowing wolves to expand into their historic range. This includes Colorado, California, Utah, and multiple other states that include still-habitable wolf territories. For the record- because of wolf eradication, coyotes have spread EVERYWHERE. There are only 17 red wolves (a different species of wolf) in the east, and coyotes have started moving into that territory. Coyotes are much more likely to prey on livestock, and also have negative interactions with people.
- For the states in which wolves are just arriving/have not arrived, protect them under the Endangered Species Act. In Utah, where there aren't even wolves yet, it's legal to shoot a wolf that wanders over the border, as wolves aren't protected under the ESA there.
- Attempt to collar 1-2 wolves per pack in order to develop text-messaging systems for ranchers about when wolves are in the area (this is already being done in the Pacific states, to great success).
- Allow states to have control of their wolf populations IF wolves cover 75% of their historic territory within that state with appropriate amounts of packs and breeding pairs. Even then, states must not allow for more than 10% of the state's population in wolf harvest.
Option One:
- Ban it altogether.
- Ban trapping. And poison. Call trapping "humane" all you want, but I've seen more than enough footage of wolf trappers gleefully laughing at and recording a terrified, trapped wolf. As for poison, not only is it also cowardly, but it's a negative cascade for a lot of other wildlife, whatever might come across the poison.
- Allow for a limited wolf season between November and February (this ensures protection for the 6 month old pups from the year before and for the breeding season in February). By limited, I mean no more than 10% of the known population in each state.
- No pups under 6 months, and no pregnant females. Yes, that's hard to regulate, I know.
- Buffer zone of 10 miles at least outside YNP and other nationally protected areas. Those wolves are habituated to people much more than others; it's just not fair.
- No dogs. It's not only poor sportsmanship, but it's extremely dangerous for your dogs.
On ranchers...
- Don't graze your livestock in national forests. Set buffer systems for protected areas like YNP.
- Mandatory training on living with wolves and other predators peacefully.
- Programs set up to give out livestock guarding dogs, hire range riders, etc.
- Programs to improve the health and sanitation of livestock, since disease and living conditions are much bigger killers than predators. Out of every 10 lost livestock, about 1 is lost to predators; 6-7 are lost to disease or malnutrition.
- You can't kill wolves for being "near" (within eyesight) of your herds. You may kill one that's caught in the act of killing one of your animals, but you better be able to prove that was the case.
- Show that it's the same wolf pack. Document it. Try to understand the pack behavior. Are your herds near a den or rendezvous site? Move them.
- Attempt nonlethal control and prove you are doing so the entirety of the period.
- If predations persist, the state agency may remove 1-2 problem wolves from the pack. Do not target the breeders. Ensure that the wolves targeted are the ones causing the most problems. I say this because it's been shown over and over again that getting rid of an entire pack just opens up the territory for more packs. Your problems won't be solved.
- You can shoot a wolf in self-defense or in the defense of another human. And when I say defense, I do not mean the wolf is walking in your direction, watching you, or walking through your yard. I mean, if the wolf is stalking, chasing, attacking you, your kids, or another human.
- You can shoot a wolf that is physically attacking your pets- BUT NOT HUNTING DOGS ON THE TRAIL. I've discussed that it's the fault of the hunter not the wolves when hounds get attacked by packs. If you're bringing your hounds into wolf territory to chase down bears or cougars or whatever, I'm sorry but you're no longer on your turf. You're on the wolves'. If you truly don't want your hounds to get attacked by wolves when you run them right through their territory, maybe near their den, don't take your hounds there in the first place and set them loose. I've also discussed that you need to keep your dog leashed in wolf (or other predator) territory; bells on collars and bright lights are also useful. BUT. I absolutely understand the love for your pet. Many times, they are like family.
Header image: credit to Voyageurs Wolf Project (@voyageurswolfproject on Instagram)