Fortymile wolf hunt showing some success
Originally published Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12:00 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.
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Stumble It!CORRECTION: The upper Yukon-Tanana region includes all of unit 20E and parts of units 12, 20B and 20D. Also, the wolf control program in the central Koyukuk is in unit 19A, not 19B. The story below has been updated.
FAIRBANKS — Sharpshooters participating in the state’s aerial predator control program already have killed almost as many wolves in the Fortymile country this year as they did all last winter.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials confirmed that at least 20 wolves have been killed so far this winter, all but one of them in the upper Yukon-Tanana region in Game Management Unit 20E and parts of units 12, 20B and 20D. Last year, a total of 27 wolves were taken in the same region during the entire season.
The early harvest of wolves in the Fortymile country was a surprise, according to Bruce Bartley, a spokesman for the Department of Fish and Game in Anchorage.
“Historically, that’s been one of the areas we’ve had the most difficulty with getting the harvest we want,” Bartley said.
For the fifth straight year in a row, the department is allowing pilot-gunner teams with state permits to shoot wolves from the air or to land and shoot them in five different parts of the state that have been designated as predator control areas. The state has issued more than 80 permits to pilot-gunner teams for the program, Bartley said.
A total of 649 wolves — an average of 162 a year — have been killed since the program began in 2004. Last year, a total of 124 wolves were killed in the five areas: Fortymile (units 12 and 20E), Nelchina Basin (unit 13), McGrath (unit 19D east), central Koyukuk (unit 19A) and west Cook Inlet (unit 16).
The only other region to report any wolf kills this winter was unit 13, where one wolf had been reported killed as of Monday, Bartley said.
The state has a harvest goal in each area based upon the estimated wolf population of the area. In the upper Yukon-Tanana region, for example, the estimated wolf population is between 393 to 431 animals, and the management objective is 88 to 103 wolves, putting the harvest objective anywhere from 290 to 328 wolves.
While the total harvest objective for all five areas is between 453 to 616, there’s almost no chance of sharpshooters coming anywhere close to it, judging from past years, Bartley said. The highest number of wolves killed in the previous four years was 275 in 2004, the first year of the program. Since then, the average annual harvest has been 125 wolves a year.
Wade Willis, the Alaska representative for the conservation group Defenders of Wildlife, called the number of November kills in the Fortymile country “a disturbing start” to the state’s wolf control program via a press release issued Monday. Defenders contends that wolves are being used as a “scapegoat” for low moose and caribou populations, and the state is conducting the programs based on “anecdotal” information.
“It’s time for the department to conduct an honest review of these programs,” Willis said.
But Bartley said the programs “have been reviewed and re-reviewed” by the Board of Game and the court system because of lawsuits filed to halt the program, and the department is confident in the biology behind the program.
“(The Department of Fish and Game) has pioneered census and survey techniques that the rest of the world has copied,” he said. “We are very confident that the numbers are adequate to administer these programs.”
Wolves kill more moose than bears and are able to reproduce and recover from population declines more quickly, which is why they have been the focus of the state’s predator control efforts, he added.
The number of wolves killed during the winter isn’t as important as the number of wolves remaining in the spring, Bartley said. The department has a much better idea of how many wolves are in each area at the end of the winter than they do now.
“Our wolf population numbers are far more accurate in the spring, after scores of pilots have spent thousands of hours flying in the control areas,” he said. “They provide far more information than the department could ever afford to obtain on its own and much more than we have in areas where no control is taking place.”
Participation in the program so far this winter has been limited because of lack of snow in most parts of the state and the high price of gas. Darkness also is a factor, Bartley said.
“People don’t want to go out there unless they have really good conditions,” he said.
Contact staff writer Tim Mowry at 459-7587.
Community Discussion
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Wolf population estimates are derived from reports by the very aerial gunner teams that are advocating for predator control. Including commerical hunting guides who often ARE the gunner teams and that profit from selling hunting trips - biased to say the least. The ADF&G is conducting non-scientific surveys of wolf populations with private citizens, not biologists, and often with only have the most basic population estimates for the big game they are saying is in trouble. Take a look folks, nobody copies that!!!
Tens of thousands of tourists flock to Alaska to see wolves and other wild animals, now extinct from this kind of extermination so successful in the lower 48. If killing wolves will save the caribou, as claimed, why the push to drill in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, primary calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd? While males hang out at Prudhoe Bay, females found other calving grounds on the North Slope. The Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the only place the Porcupine females can calve. There are two smaller calving grounds in Canada, which has honored a treaty with the U.S. to protect the Porcupine herd. After Alaska is trashed and wildlife extinct, there is always Canada for tourism.
Why don't you start the flood tundratrekker, and trek yourself over to Canada right now.
TundraTrekker, please tell me that wolves are extinct from the lower 48. I love to hear people who do not know the truth tell me things that are blatantly wrong. Wolves have been reintroduced in many states in the lower 48 and are flourishing. You are wrong about our wolves. We should control predator populations such as wolves and bear too. OUT
Ohhheeee, this is going to be another good one, let me see if I can help get this thing going.
If wolves were allowed to have same sex marriages and abortions there wouldn't be as much of a population problem. I think thats the way God, or lack there of, wants it. Oh yea and Palin wants it to.
Let the games begin.
liberty, the REASON wolves have been reintroduced in the lower 48 is that we drove them extinct in most areas. If we hadn't, there would be no need to RE-introduce them. And they're only thriving now because it's been illegal to kill them.
I can get my meat whether I'm competing with wolves or not. We shouldn't be shooting magnificent predators from helicopters just to make things easier for lazy hunters.
All this article tells me is the "control" efforts are not effective. Wolves can sustain 30-50% harvest and still rebound, because like dogs they can have large litters. The figures given show that the kill is only 24% of the state wide wolf populations designated. The suppression of these areas would have to be 75%. The reason the kill rate dropped after the first year.... the remaining wolves hear a light air craft, at long distance and hide in the woods. The wolf is a beautiful and powerful animal able to take large moose with it's teeth.....And able to evade humans in planes with guns. There is No fear of extinction of wolves in the areas under intensive management as there is lots of cover. The Moose and Caribou are a different story when it comes to humans and machines taking all the largest breeding stock.
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Wasn't we supposed to wait until the people spoke with their vote?? I think Alaskans have gotten more aware of the attempted control of wildlife by liberal insiders and OUTSIDERS!! THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.
As far as 10's of thousands flocking to Alaska to veiw wildlife,,, well INSIDE McKinley Park there are more complaints now than ever of NOT seeing game. So much for NO predator control. LOL
Good job to the wolf hunters!!
Yeah...let's kill all the wolves, all the bears, all the lynx, and all the fox. People need to eat rabbits too don't they? Hell, lets kill all the hunters too. After all, Moose and Caribou can't exist with all of this killing going on. Get all that silly pipeline stuff outta here too. Can't have that messing with the Caribou now can we.
Certainly the ADF&G and the BOG know more than Mother Nature! After all, she has only been controlling predator/prey populations for millions of years before humans decided that they knew better!
I acquiesce to Wisechief and the people who have subsisted from the land for thousands of years. If those who live in the bush and live off of its bounty tell me that there are too many wolves for their people to exist, than I will accept their plan to control them as they also have for thousands of years. The rest of us can get by just fine on what the predators don't need to live, or they can do what the rest of the world does and grow/raise their OWN food! Predator/prey populations adjust naturally. I have seen it with my own eyes when I lived out in the hills. Rabbit population exploded and the next year I started seeing more Fox and my first Lynx. Rabbit population declined and I didn't see as many Fox and no more Lynx. How on earth did that happen without the AFD&G and the BOG intervening. Mind boggling.
Shooting them from the air. Shame that you are too stupid or lazy to hunt them on their own terms. At least that would be somewhat reasonable and more inline with Nature. But no, we lazy humans circumvent Nature for our own ends and then wonder why it backfires in our faces. Anyone who shoots an animal from the air gets nothing but contempt from me.
I seem to remember a story on the drop in wolf sightings in Denali NP being linked to trapping just outside the park boundary. That pressure was keeping the wolves from frequenting the Toklat area where they used to be quite common.
I don't think there is any shortage of moose for the people who actually know how to hunt. If this is actually necessary to keep herds up for actual subsistence hunters I understand. But I'm dubious.
I'd like to think that predator control wouldn't get out of control itself. Alaskans have enough sense and are loud enough about their opinions to know that if the natural moose population exploded it would throw off the entire ecosystem and probably lead to rampant disease or starvation and a subsequent bottoming out of herd.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.
Hunting wolves from the air is immoral, unsporting, and demeaning to both humans and wolves.
Get off your butts and hunt the wolves the right way. If you haven't got the guts or decency to do it, then you don't deserve to hold a weapon in your hands.
Yo, tundratrekker, I was just down in N. Central Idaho helping work on my grandparents' ranch in August. Our caretaker wouldn't let me sleep out in the yard, as a cougar had just walked thru the day before I got there. Says the bobcats are rebounding, and that there's enough wolves around now that if I should go hiking, I should be packin'. My aunt up in the St. Maries area says the same thing about the wolf population.
How's THAT for extinction? Clearwater and Nezperce Natl Forests, fwiw.
Flea infestations are more likely up here for those predators.
Joe Murphy ~ I second that!
if this is wild land and the Natives, moose and wolves all lived in harmony at one time, what what does that tell you?
it tells me things are pretty messed up! it a testosterone problem
I agree with Joe and nofanofpalin, at least real hunting, the animals have a fair chance, and the humans hunting them can have real pride in hunting them. this is like taking candy from babies, matter of fact, thats probably what these guys do in their spare time.
Wow what a liberal bunch frequents this blog. I will kill every bear and wolf I can to slant the odds in my direction come hunting season. Predator control is needed in this state to sustain a decent harvest by hunters. I prefer to eat game and not the processed meat in stores. Great start hunters keep up the good work.
Pat
These guys are not hunting the wolves. It is called predator control. Do not us the word "hunt" when referring to this.
Correct rubit - Predator control.... Not hunting. However the State has clearly concluded that such is needed to keep other game population in reasonable balance with forage etc.
Joe Murphy~ I concur on the Second ( of Nofan's)and call the Question, all in favor, fire your guns, all opposed...
Pmcgraw, " I will kill every bear and wolf I can to slant the odds in my direction come hunting season. Predator control is needed in this state to sustain a decent harvest by hunters. I prefer to eat game and not the processed meat in stores."
You want to Slant the odds in your favor? Are you a hunter or a butcher? Predator control IS needed in this state, from you and people like you. True Hunters hunt for 2 things, 1, the challenge of the hunt. and 2. the Meat. Killing just to improve your odds, does not make you a better hunter, just a Predator. The Natives lived here for untold centuries, and were one with the land, and it's species. They had no need to artifically control game populations. Who the hell decided that you "hunters" have to sustain a decent harvest? Sussitence hunters are the only ones who "harvest". Everybody else is just another Predator.
What many outsiders dont understand is that Alaska is not like the lower 48. We dont have roads or the means to access much of the country these wolves reside in and move through, but nonetheless they kill with a ferocity that not many cant understand until its witnessed. The thing is that as wolves thin an area of ungulates they just keep on moving looking for more food or sport in some cases , and if they arent haulted the results can be disastrous for ungulate populations in many regions. And it takes a long for the ungulate numbers to return to healthy figures.These predator control programs operated the way they are, is the ONLY way to effectively cull these killing machines. We like our moose and our bou and if this is the only effective means of keeping them around, I say good luck to the gunners and pilots!
Oh and to the fella with the comments trying to compare ANWAR to the 40 mile country, these predator control units are a long ways from ANWAR and completely different terrain, not to mention that oil drilling doesn't kill caribou.....Wolves do!
Hey North Star, interior Athabascans have practiced killing bears while hibernating for centuries. Isn't that controlling the predator population?
and moose don't "herd".
natives one with the land? i guess so if you call starving, freezing bands of nomads being a group that is one with the land.
caribou do migrate in and out of anwr. it seems to me that the caribou don't mind the oil rigs at prudhoe bay at all. but i'm not a biologist. i'm a geographer. having studied human interaction with our home planet for much of my adult life i can aver that if nature or the earth is our "mother", she should be arrested for child abuse.
the fact that we need to reiterate that this is preditor control and not hunting just confirms my long standing suspicions that the human race isn't actually all that intelligent. probably isn't the most intelligent species on this planet at any rate.
the natives killing hibernating bears in their den = preditor control? nope! that was hunting for food. a hibernating bear is just a lot easier to kill with out severe injuries to hunter than is killing an awake and alert bear with sharp sticks and stones.
As a hunter and fisherman myself I strongly disagree with the thought of any arieal hunt, or selling of hunting trips. Hunting is not a sport it is a means to acquire food just as fishing is, beyond meat hunting also can provide us with fur to use to keep ourselves warm as a bonus.
Claiming that shooting wolves or any predatory animal as a means of predator control is an outright lie made to make ourselves feel better. If we really wanted to preserve the game animals we would make it illegal for the a##hats on 4 wheelers to drive around the woods persuing them, put a stop to hunting from the road system, no more airboating up and down the rivers waiting for one to appear for the easy kill, and we would stop growing our urban/industrial boundaries into the habitat of said game animals.
Perhaps if we hark back to a time when people would have to earn their quarry while hunting... walk into the woods and get into tune with the environment and wilderness to stalk the pray, get into it's mind and think like it, shoot the animal and then have to quarter and butcher your kill and carefully move it by pure manpower out of the woods to get it home and package and prepare it for storage to be what you and your family use for meals for a time. This to me brings me great joy each and every time I have family and friends over and open the fridge/freezer to serve a meal.
I am willing to bet that after choking off the moose population with exhaust from a 4 wheeler let alone the noise pollution created, the drive out with a trailer full of meat to the butcher out on the Rich Hwy. and then picking it up in a few weeks probably feels just as invigorating and rewarding as walking into McDonalds and ordering a Happy Meal.
My point is we don't control nature we effect nature, but don't ever believe we have any sort of control over it. If there is only one predator on the planet we can control it is us, and time and time again we prove we can't even control ourselves.
Remember control is merely an illusion of power.
I defer my respone to Someguyinfbx, he said it way better than I could. And his points are valid, especially the fact that we humans "effect" nature, but do not control it..you sir are indeed Frosty...Thanks TNS.
From Bob B. I am from NM and I know that your region is very different from my location. We hunt down here, but for the most part we do it the old fashion way.
We walk. I find the method of so called predator control, from the air to be despicable and cowardly. Those in Alaska that support this awful practice should be ashamed of themselves. You would not be welcome in NM and this goes for your low quality governor also.
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