Wolves killing more dogs this year
Wisconsin
Contributors to this thread:
PB in WI's Link
Wolves are killing more dogs this year. Blame is placed on more human activity out hunting with dogs. “This spike in incidents doesn’t reflect any change necessarily in wolves numbers or wolf behavior,” said Jeff Pritzl, a DNR wildlife supervisor. “I think it’s more related to human activity.”
Nothing is said or implied that the deer herd is depleted leaving less fresh meat choices for the wolves.
I'm not a wolf biologist (nor did I stay at the Holiday Inn Express last night), but I would not believe the dog depredation has much, if anything, to do with hunger, but more of the simple fact that the dogs are in an active wolf area where the wolves will actively seek and destroy outside canine intruders. I would imagine a full-bellied wolf will do the same to a dog as the one that hasn't ate much for a day or two. The bottom line is where there are large concentrations of wolves dogs better be fleet of foot.
The comments in that article are killing me -
"WolvesRbetterthanRednecks > RJ • 17 hours ago
Yeah, 2 deaths since 1888 is really really dangerous. If you're scared of that high attack rate, how do you manage to get out into the woods where HUNTERS kill 80 - 90 people EVERY YEAR? As for how wolves kill? What are they supposed to do? Use a 30-06? Or shoot the deer in the face with a bow like humans do? Do you want to kill all the lions/tigers/sharks/raptors etc because you don't like the way they kill their prey? It may not be pretty to watch, but it's a damn sight more ethical & 'fair chase' than habituating animals to a bait pile & then shooting them from your comfy stand or hide."
Hunters kill 80-90 people per year ... just dumb!!!
Naz 's Link
2013 injury stats from NSSF: http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/IIR_InjuryStatistics2013.pdf
The 80-90 figure could be accurate if figured nationally on a past year, at least according to a quick online search which found this (linked) at http://www.interstatesportsman.com/articles/how-dangerous-is-hunting-really.
Wisconsin deer hunters had their safest season ever in 2014.
Sounds like there's a movement to make it illegal for us to be outside. Maybe we should all stay indoors and minimize "human activity" so as not to disturb those poor wolves...and especially during deer season. This crap never ends!
Naz as that was a Wisconsin page, I didn't think that person would be figuring national numbers for hunting accidents. I don't know where that person was pulling the number from.
Wisconsin the past two seasons have had very safe hunts.
Agree Mike, that's what I thought at first too, and that's why I Googled it to see how many may die nationally.
“This spike in incidents doesn’t reflect any change necessarily in wolves numbers or wolf behavior,” said Jeff Pritzl, a DNR wildlife supervisor. “I think it’s more related to human activity.”
Jeff I think you are clueless! wait...I KNOW you are clueless! Wolf numbers are increasing....how can they not be? You don't have to be a "head up your ass wildlife biologist" to figure that one out.
Jeff hunts with bow, shotgun, rifle and muzzleloader in multiple counties, including northern WI, so I think he knows a thing or two about the lay of the land and wolves. These quotes are often "misread," as in, you're not hearing what he's saying, or missing the entire story.
He is saying the spike (four dogs killed and two injured in an entire month is six too many, but it's a big state) doesn't NECESSARILY mean a change in wolf numbers. It MIGHT, but it may also just be the fact that there was more hunting pressure in that area. He can only respond to questions he's asked. If he was asked a question like, "Could it be possible that there was a localized increase in wolf numbers in the areas depredated?," I would guess his answer would be "Yes, that's entirely possible," then add the part about it could also be human activity.
How many guys would be rabbit hunting in three feet of snow and below-zero cold vs. the easy winter we have right now?
Naz How many guys are hunting rabbits with hounds now a days? I love rabbit hunting but not many around. Winters are tough on them. So a few rabbit hunters lose hounds to wolves,that is scary.
I can tell you this, if I ever loose our dog to wolves while grouse hunting, I will make it a personal mission to eradicate this world of wolves. Ethics be dammed. That reminds me, several years ago, the DNR sent me a survey they called an upland game bird survey. It had one question about upland birds and 9 questions about what would happen if my dog was killed, how much time I spent training my dog, how much I had invested in my dog….I wrote all over the survey and blasted them for their poor deceptive attempt at ascertaining information about the impact of wolves on hunting dogs.
Dogs are personal property in WI. I wonder what would happen if you killed a wolf defending your "property" if it went to court.
Novemberforever's Link
Here's a fun summer job. They have grizz also. Love the line about using discretion when approaching a carcass.
Hey November this thread real validates the Budweiser commercial.
I read a couple of comments posted to that article. One of them says in part:
"hounders" dogs are purposely sent into wolf rendezvous sites (many believe so they can get $2500 for a dog that was bred in their backyard)
I have heard that being talked about locally regarding dogs that just don't pan out as working dogs. I prefer not to believe it but also realize there could be some truth in it. Then when you hear about a spike like this you wonder.
Drop tine X 2....but a step farther. My dog is not property but FAMILY. Any "protected" species threatening ANY family member loses protected status.
Drop tine X 2....but a step farther. My dog is not property but FAMILY. Any "protected" species threatening ANY family member loses protected status.
Hunters kill 80 to 90 people a year in Wisconsin WHAT.
That was a national figure
When Im hunting with my beagle he stays close. He was trained to flush birds and I cant shoot grouse hundreds of yards away... If a wolf attacks him, it's personal. Am I the only one who has been followed or watched by wolves while in the woods? Many times I have found wolf tracks in my footprints.
Turkeyhunter's Link
I think anyone with hunting dogs is more likely to share some of the views posted in this thread.
Here's something else to chew on.
I was at the Southeast Wisconsin Woodland Owners annual meeting yesterday and the wrap-up presenter did a presentation on wolf management in Wisconsin over the years and the possible scenarios that might play out following the recent ruling by the D.C. judge.
Mentioned was the DNR's Wolf Attitude Survey Report. A rather detailed survey of almost 9000 Wisconsin residents - 80% of which resided in wolf territory and 20% outside of wolf territory.
It's an interesting read. Particularly the Study Highlights covered on pages 18-23.
I am in the UP and NE Wis full time, from July on, except for out west trips. I am a little cautious woodock hunting early season, but have good control on my dogs. and have little worry......
I know a few guys who are so worried about wolves, they will not hunt grouse, oh well, have not seen any issues
however I have no use for them, think the reintroduction was a big mistake......
Geitz's Link
razer,I also hunt grouse and woodcock in NE Wis.I very seldom go without a shock collar now,30 years ago seldom used them at least for hunting.Just can not take the chance any more.
Foxes and coyotes are common in suburbia and would not be surprised at all if some wolves are there, especially west of Middleton. Lots of good timber in that area.
The west side of Middleton is a pretty $$$ area, wait til Fido gets mauled in a back yard.
There was a wolf shot and killed while coyote hunting just north of Middleton about 4 years ago. I swear I have been chasing a yote wolf mix for about 3 years now. Huge tracks (for a yote) and mixed right in with them.
Could just be a freak of a yote also.
Pretty sure that WI collared wolves have been hit on the roads in IL and IA (and probably other states) in past years, so certainly could be some moving through or even staying in that region. Likely plenty of deer in the suburbs and some of the $$$ large tracts managed for Quantity Deer Management.
Pretty soon the wolves will so full of elk they won't be able to catch a dog.
Bowmania
That certainly was a load of crap!! No spike in human activity. Same as it always is. In fact may be a bit lower with lack of snow until recently in the southern part of state. Everything about that was way off base. Mostly happens in the NW part of the state? Do they not even read their own records.Geeesh!!
More were killed this past weekend down by the town of Pray. Which is SW of Marshfield. If you want to see the pics check out my FB page. Better have a strong stomach!!
Much easier to point the blame at anything else then a exploding population.
At least they are starting to get closer to liberal land!!