Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance (NIWA) announces two demonstrations for northern Idaho-
What a surprise! Here is their news release.
____________
NORTHERN IDAHO WOLF ALLIANCE
www.niwa.us
August 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Stephen Augustine
208-263-9798
niwa@lalgudi.netKen Fischman, Ph.D.
208-265-8580
bigfish@gotsky.com
Wolf Advocates Announce Public Demonstration Against Idaho Wolf Hunt
The Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance (NIWA) confirmed today that they will hold public demonstrations against the upcoming Idaho wolf hunting season. The public is invited to join these demonstrations on Friday, August 28th in Coeur d’Alene and on Monday, August 31st in Sandpoint. The events are aimed to bring attention to the wolf hunting season which begins on September 1.
“Why are we hunting wolves when they just came off the Endangered Species list less than six months ago?”, NIWA spokesperson Stephen Augustine asked. He added, “We fear that under the guise of wolf management, what’s about to happen is a wolf massacre.”
Some hunters claim that wolves are devastating elk in Idaho. Yet the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has shown that the Idaho elk population increased in each of the last three years to where there are now 115,000 elk. There are only 846 wolves.
Idaho Fish & Game (IDF&G) has not yet revealed how many of Idaho’s 846 wolves they will allow hunters to kill. “This is ominous.” Dr. Ken Fischman of Ancient Pathways, stated. “We believe that they are trying to hide the true numbers until the last minute because the public will be shocked to know that over half the wolves could be killed.
This is the first time that an animal has ever been hunted immediately after being taken off the Endangered Species list. Minnesota and Michigan will not even consider allowing wolf hunts for at least five years after wolves have been delisted in their states.
Fischman addressed another common myth, “Idaho ranchers say that wolves are decimating livestock, yet they are responsible for less than 1% of livestock depredation. In 2008, feral dogs killed more than four times as many sheep in Idaho than wolves did.”
Augustine concluded, “Wolves are being demonized. Virtually overnight they are going from most protected to most persecuted. This hunt is a reflection of ignorance and animosity toward a predator whose presence has restored needed balance to our wild areas.”
The public demonstration in Coeur d’Alene will take place 11AM – 1 PM, on Friday, August 28th, at the IDF&G building, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave.
The Sandpoint public demonstration will take place from 11 AM – 1 PM, on Monday, August 31st at the County Courthouse on So. First Ave. & Lake St. At the same time, Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance will also sponsor a wolf education program for families and children at the Sandpoint Community Hall across from the Courthouse. It will feature informational material, videos and activities for children.
Background:
The Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance seeks to raise public awareness and encourages discussion about the essential ecological role of wolves in the balance of healthy forest ecosystems, to educate the public and government officials using fact-based information and current scientific knowledge, and to defend wolves against persecution and prejudice.
Comments
I applaud their efforts to rally against the impending hunt. If I were anywhere near I would attend! I wonder why a rally in Boise is not scheduled? They would probably attract significant support in Boise.
I understand they are residents of northern Idaho.
This is great ! Sounds like fun.
I think they would accomplish more in Boise.
I hope for everyone’s sake that this doesn’t get violent. The country seems so divided right now . . could it be that some people are making millions on various talk shows encouraging the incredible divide of people with some very persuasive hype on both sides. The incitement of people who don’t think for themselves has escalated . . I can see it in the booths of the small town county fair where I live. I am glad they are dong this, but I would worry a bit about being there. Hope it works out.
If threats cause people to be quiet, those who threaten win; and, course you have to change your tactics to engage in threats and violence too if you are not to be overrun.
Wise words Ralph. Thanks
How about other areas? Are there any plans to stop the hunt? Ashton area?
And how about the Defenders? Can they help to stop the hunt?
This is all I have heard about.
It would be very unwise and illegal to try to stop a hunt. If the hunt is stopped, I think it will be by the federal court.
I don’t think the federal court will stop the hunt unless the states clearly do not, or cannot regulate the hunt according to their own rules, or Idaho (plans to be set very soon) goes too far in terms of reducing the wolf population.
I think there will be a hunt in both states.
The older I get, the less I understand us humans.
I am sorry to hear this Ralph. Hunt..sad. Very sad.
Ralph-
I heard a report from the father of one of my friends that is a farmer in the Bone region that IDFG eliminated two wolves, one very old with worn down teeth the other smaller and quite young that escaped from a eradication attempt of a pack in the same area from last year.
I haven’t heard anything of this in the ‘ Idaho wolf news’ the past few months or anywhere else, but the man had no reason to lie to me
have you heard about this or know of any information?
Nathan,
I haven’t heard any wolf news from the state since their June wolf news report at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/wklyReport/2009/june.pdf
Because I live in Eastern Idaho, not all that far from Bone, it would be nice to hear something. There was a rumor in the Pocatello newspaper of a wolf near the mouth of Arbon Valley (I guess they meant south of American Falls; the article wasn’t clear).
Ralph, have their been many fights in Montana about their wolf hunt? I think I read somewhere 75 was the number they allowed to be shot. I can’t remember what the population was but it seemed like it could have been sustainable.
I am stunned, as an Idahoan, blathering opinions of people that don’t even live here. While I don’t expect you to understand our way of life I would at least hope that you could let us live our lives our way and not yours.
Idaho,
I guess you missed that this is a demonstration in Idaho by Idaho residents. People in Idaho disagree over this matter.
Idaho,
Guess what? I do currently live in Idaho…
Is there any way/site/email where we can join in the protest? The groups’ site? Local Government site?
Just to show that Idaho doesn’t live in a vacuum & that people around the country are watching this.
eloise
Idaho, while I don’t currently live in Idaho, I was born and raised there. I think you are missing the big picture; a large percentage of Idaho actually belongs to all citizens of the US, so even the people who live in NY have a vested interest in what happens on the public lands in Idaho. After all, it’s our taxes that help pay for many of the perks that you enjoy, living your life the way you want.
Eloise,
Read their news release. It includes that information.
Guess what Idaho, I live in Idaho. For 52 years.
Have hunted for 35 of those…….in Idaho
I guess the deomnstration is going to happen even though the IDFG Commission set a reasonable limit to the number of wolves they will allowed to be killed by hunters. It seems many on this site have agreed that the 220 number is reasonable considering that as many as 1000 wolves are in Idaho alone. Yesterday, even Ralph Maughan has declared “I for one, would not protest a quota of 100 or 200 animals”.
I wish the demonstrators well as I am sure they will demonstrate how extreme some individuals are even though all recovery goals have been met and exceeded to date. They want Idaho’s Fish & Game Commission to have NO ability to manage wolves even though everyone agreed that this day would eventually come when introductions began.
I believe many more people in Idaho support hunting wolves than oppose it; however, I believe everyone has a right to voice their opinion.
We are Northern Idaho residents & that is why are demonstrating in Coeur d’Alene & Sandpoint. We plan a peaceful & respectful demonstration as is our right as Americans to do. Silence is assent.
Anyone who cares about wolves, & adheres to these guidelines is welcome to join with us.
Bob Wharff, there are 846 wolves in Idaho, not the spurious 1,000 or 1,020 that IDF&G claim everywhere but in their official records & those of USFW. Look it up. Why do you think that they are they inflating these numbers?
“Bob Wharff, there are 846 wolves in Idaho, not the spurious 1,000 or 1,020 that IDF&G claim everywhere but in their official records & those of USFW. Look it up. Why do you think that they are they inflating these numbers?”
Maybe because there were pups born this spring?
Maybe because there were pups born this spring?
I was under the impression that any population counts of wolves were adults only and not pups of the year. Can anyone confirm this? 1,000 seems like a big jump for the adult population.
Bob & Ken,
I am also a North Idaho resident and have been for over 20 years. I think their estimates of 1000 are probably pretty close. There are packs in North Idaho that they have not shown on their 2008 or early 2009 wolf maps that show where packs are supposed to be. One pack frequents some property I own ,another pack I personally know of is just a couple of miles from our home. Neither one of these are on the maps. Friends of mine that spend a lot of time in the woods of North Idaho also know of packs that are not shown.
Cobra, there must be quite a few migrating from Canada or Montana then. That could be good news of genetic exchange.
I have to say that I live in Northern Idaho and hunt enthusiastically to provide meat for our family. I have seen 3 wolves in the wild this summer/fall alone. I had not encountered any prior to this summer. Once on horseback. Once while hiking. Once hunting Elk. No collar. No tag. Not counted in the population that is known. The females birth how many pups per year? We don’t know. We would be arrogant to say we did. I think that in nature everything has its purpose. We took away natures coarse with the wolves many years ago and have affected that natural course. Therefore, we have a responsibility, because of our arrogance then, to continue to assist in responsible control of their numbers. Hunting them is not the best course of action but until something else is proposed, we will continue to repeat our mistakes. Instead of complaining and protesting, use that energy to come up with a rational alternative that most people would support. Makes alot more sense. I love wolves. They are beautiful and necessary. But letting them over populate is not the answer. My opinion. Not on one side or the other.