Mule Deer Fanatic

Wolf re-introduction is certainly a hot topic, to put it mildly, and Mule Deer Fanatics have a stake in the outcome. In Wyoming and Idaho, wolves are beginning to take a heavy toll on game animals, not to mention livestock. Since there are already relatively few mule deer available (due to the effects of lions and coyotes), elk populations are suffering most, but wolves will make it impossible for mule deer to recover, even if lions, coyotes, and bears were controlled.

I am certain that some agency personnel have long awaited the time when elk populations could be regulated by grizzlies and wolves, as opposed to being regulated by hunters, as the predator approach seems to be their preference with mule deer.

Much of the human population in Wyoming is rural/ranchers. These poor folks are small in number, and battling the Federal Government takes a lot of moxie even when there is security in numbers. Nevertheless, Wyoming-ites are trying. Nearby states, where there are presently no wolves, have also been heavy-handed into drafting wolf management plans acceptable to the Feds, and will be expected to handle the wolves with care when they do arrive.

Not too far away, in Washington State, is a “non-profit” organization called Wolf Haven, where you can adopt a wolf. Just send money and you will recieve a photo of your very own wolf. There you may find tributes to deceased wolves, wolf and coyote tours, and articles such as “The coyote that refused to eat meat.”

Quote: You can ‘adopt’ any of our wolves on-line for yourself or as a gift for a friend or loved-one. Proceeds from our symbolic wolf ‘adoption’ program provide the wolves with the very best of food, medical care, dietary supplements, habitat maintenance and enrichment.

The animal huggers are berserk, but are still taking in collections to support their cause.

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Anyway, here are some excerpts from Wyoming’s proposed plan (regulated to the nth degree):

• Section 4. Gray Wolves Designated as Trophy Game Animals.
  Gray wolves found in that portion of Wyoming described as the WTGMA are hereby designated as trophy game animals and managed under the authority of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
• Section 5. Gray Wolves Designated as Predatory Animals. Gray wolves in Wyoming, excluding gray wolves located inside the WTGMA as set forth in this regulation, are hereby designated as predatory animals. Gray wolves taken within the area where gray wolves are classified as predatory animals shall be reported by the individual taking any gray wolf to a district game warden, district wildlife biologist or Department personnel at a Game and Fish Regional Office. The individual taking a gray wolf shall provide the sex, location to include section, township, range or UTM coordinates and date of kill within ten (10) days of their take.
• Section 6. Monitoring Gray Wolves. The Department shall institute and maintain a gray wolf population-monitoring program. Global Positioning System or VHF radio tracking collars may be placed on gray wolves handled by the Department for population monitoring, conflict resolution or nuisance management activities or any non-lethal control actions where gray wolves are captured or handled by the Department. The Department may enter into memoranda of agreement with other state or federal agencies to monitor gray wolf population levels and movements.
• Section 7. Lethal Control of Gray Wolves in the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area. The Department shall utilize aggressive management techniques including, but not limited to aerial hunting and hazing to protect private property including livestock and domesticated animals within the WTGMA. (a) Any owner who takes a gray wolf under the authority of Wyoming Statute §23-3-115(c) shall submit the entire carcass of each gray wolf taken to a district game warden, district wildlife biologist or Department personnel at a Game and Fish Department Regional Office within seventy-two (72) hours. The owner shall provide the location of the site of kill to include the section, township and range, or UTM coordinates and present the carcass for the collection of tissue and hair samples for DNA analysis. 21-2
  (b) Upon notification from any owner of chronic gray wolf predation to livestock or domesticated animals inside the WTGMA and with verification by the Department, the Department shall: (i) issue a gray wolf lethal take permit to the owner; (ii) authorize USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services personnel in accordance with a completed memorandum of understanding with the Commission to remove the offending gray wolf or wolves; and, (iii) initiate lethal removal of the offending gray wolf or wolves by Department personnel. (c) Gray wolves may be lethally removed when the Department determines a wild ungulate herd may be experiencing unacceptable impacts or when wolf-wild ungulate conflict occur at any State operated feedground. (d) The provisions of subsection (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply in the event the removal of gray wolves will result in the re-listing of wolves under the Endangered Species Act.
• Section 8. Issuance of Gray Wolf Lethal Take Permit. A lethal take permit shall only be issued when there are seven (7) or more breeding pairs of gray wolves in Wyoming primarily outside of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The Department shall issue lethal take permits when requested by an owner in the designated WTGMA and upon documentation by Department personnel, or personnel from USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, who are cooperating with the Commission through an approved memorandum of understanding, that wolves are, or have been recently present in the area and that chronic gray wolf predation to livestock or domesticated animals has occurred, or for the take of gray wolves in chronic wolf predation areas. Gray wolves may be taken in accordance with the following provisions: (a) Gray wolves shall only be taken by the use of legal firearms from the ground. (b) Gray Wolf Lethal Take Permits shall be issued for a specific number of gray wolves, shall state the name, address and phone number of the permittee, other authorized individuals, the specific area where gray wolves may be taken and be signed by the permittee and a Department representative. (c) Lethal Take Permits are subject to immediate suspension or cancellation upon determination by the Department that further lethal control could cause re-listing of gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Notification of suspension or cancellation of lethal take permits shall be provided via personal notification, first class mail or by telephone or facsimile to all current permittees.
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  (d) The permittee, or other authorized individuals listed on the permit shall notify Department personnel specifically named on the lethal take permit as soon as practicably possible by personal contact, or phone contact of the take of a gray wolf under the authority of a lethal take permit. (e) Failure by the permittee, or other authorized individuals listed on the permit to abide by all provisions and conditions stipulated in this section shall be cause for the Department to cancel the permit. (f) Lethal take permits shall expire on December 31 of the year issued unless the permit is canceled in accordance with the provisions of this section. (g) Gray Wolf Lethal Take permits shall not be issued outside the geographic area defined as the WTGMA. Gray wolves, which are classified as predatory animals can be taken without a license in any legal manner and at any time as provided by W.S. §23-2-303(d), §23-3-112, §23-3-304 (b), §23-3-305 and §23-3-307 and §23-3-103 (a).
• Section 9. Non-lethal Control of Gray Wolves in the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area. Non-lethal control shall be initiated when deemed appropriate by the Department or when requested by the owner, but may be discontinued at the discretion of, and upon determination by the Department that lethal control is necessary to mitigate continued harassment, injury, maiming or killing of livestock or domesticated animals.
• Section 10. Savings Clause. If any provision of this regulation is held to be illegal or unconstitutional, such a ruling shall not affect other provisions of this regulation that can be given effect without the illegal or unconstitutional provision; and, to this end, the provisions of this regulation are severable.

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION