More on the continual argument. This time on Boise State University radio-
Arguing over Elk. By Adam Cotterell. Boise State Radio.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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Nice article… I hope the lady from Fish and Game doesn’t lose her job for accurately speaking about the benefits of having wolves around.
Did anyone pick up the IDF&G lady’s statement that there are 3 zones in the Clearwater in which there are both high wolf #s and High elk #s? Using F&G’s own strange logic, this should mean that wolves increase elk population. That, of course is preposterous, but so is IDF&G’s contention that wolves alone are responsible for the low elk/calf ratios in 2 other zones.
Another important point alluded to is the contention that hunting can regulate elk numbers. Historically, hunter success no matter how many elk tags are issued, is around 20%. This is still true, even in the presence of wolves. One hunter spokesman in the St Joe area said he would only be satisfied when the success rate increased to 90%. Consider what Idaho’s forest would look like if the success rate only climbed to 30%.
Ken,
I can’t get the BSU radio blurb to play — but, I don’t understand your comment.
There are only two zones in the Clearwater drainage – Lolo and Elk City – that my hunting regs reference. What do you mean by there being 3 zones that have both high wolf and elk numbers??