From The Wilton Bulletin in Montana:
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Two Montana men have been cited over illegally poaching two wolves from a helicopter in the Big Hole Valley.
The Billings Gazette reports that Dalton Thomas Tamcke, 30, and Justin Samuel Peterson, 22, told wildlife authorities they were hunting coyotes for predatory control action on March 3 and mistakenly took the wolves for coyotes. The men later recovered the carcasses by snowmobile.
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237 British Columbia wolves culled, Pacific Wild decries BC wolf cull’s continuation while matter is before the courts
From Castanet.net in Canada:
Environmental group Pacific Wild says it’s shocked to learn the B.C. government killed 237 wolves over the winter, despite the controversial cull being before the courts.
Calling it a “continued war on wolves,” Pacific Wild said: “This government’s recent behaviour toward our wildlife shows a flagrant disregard for the role our courts have to play in ensuring the lawfulness and accountability of government’s actions and decisions.”
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How the Gray Wolves Survived when the World Froze
From NatureWorldNews.com:
11,000 years ago, the last Ice Age wiped out several species around the world. The change in climate brought about scarcity of food for wildlife. An extinction event happened so quickly in a short geologic time scale, causing one-third of all existing species to disappear.
Although a new ecosystem immediately emerged right after, some species survived the catastrophic event which is mass extinction. One of them being the gray wolves.
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Update: Fate of Idaho’s wolves now in the hands of the governor
From KMVT:
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Legislation that would allow hunters, trappers, and private contractors to kill up to 90 percent of the state’s wolf population has now passed through both chambers of the Idaho State Legislature.
On Tuesday afternoon, the House passed SB 1211, 58 to 11. The legislation will allow the trapping of wolves on private land year-round, and no limit on the number of wolf tags someone can purchase.
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Bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho wolves heads to governor
From KTVB.com:
BOISE, Idaho — Legislation that could lead to killing up to 90% of the wolves in Idaho continued its speedy trip through the Statehouse on Tuesday.
The bill introduced just a week ago, passed the Idaho House 58-11 after already sailing through the Senate. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
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Montana governor signs bill allowing payment to wolf hunters
From localnews8.com and the Associated Press:
HELENA, Mont. (AP) – Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill allowing the use of private funds to reimburse wolf hunters or trappers for their expenses – reminiscent of bounties that widely exterminated the species in the last century.
Hunting and livestock groups say there aren’t enough wolves being hunted in Montana to limit their impact on big game outfitters and cattle and sheep producers.
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2 Montana men cited over helicopter poaching of wolves
From The Wilton Bulletin in Montana:
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Two Montana men have been cited over illegally poaching two wolves from a helicopter in the Big Hole Valley.
The Billings Gazette reports that Dalton Thomas Tamcke, 30, and Justin Samuel Peterson, 22, told wildlife authorities they were hunting coyotes for predatory control action on March 3 and mistakenly took the wolves for coyotes. The men later recovered the carcasses by snowmobile.
Click here for the full story.
Report: Washington wolf population continued to grow in 2020
From KIRO7.com:
OLYMPIA, Wash. — (AP) – A new report from state officials says the wolf population in Washington state increased by an estimated 33 animals in 2020.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released its annual wolf report Friday, saying the estimated wolf population grew to 178 wolves in 29 packs.
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Oregon has at least 173 wolves, a 9.5% increase over last year
From the Argus Observer in Oregon:
State wildlife biologists counted 173 wolves in Oregon this past winter, a 9.5% increase over last year’s count of 158, according to the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management 2020 Annual Report released April 21 at odfw.com/wolves.
This annual count is based on verified wolf evidence (such as visual observations, tracks, and remote camera photographs) and is considered the minimum known wolf count, not an estimate of how many wolves are in Oregon. The actual number of wolves in Oregon is likely higher, as not all individuals present in the state are located during the winter count.
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Minister signs decree enacting year-round protection for the grey wolf in Slovakia
From The Slovak Spectator:
Environment Minister Ján Budaj (OĽaNO) has signed a decree enacting the year-round protection of the grey wolf in Slovakia.
He did so at a press conference marking Earth Day. The grey wolf will thus be put on the list of protected animals and the hunting of these animals will end on June 1. It will be prohibited to capture, injure or kill, breed, sell or exchange wolves and the social value of the wolf will be €3,000.
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Oregon counts more gray wolves in 2020, but concerns for their safety abound
From OPB.org in Oregon:
The total population of gray wolves in Oregon increased again in 2020, continuing the species’ slow but steady rebound.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday it counted a total of 173 wolves this past winter — up 9.5% from the previous year. That is likely an undercount of the entire wolf population in the state, but serves as a minimum estimate.
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