Researchers can’t find Lookout Pack’s mother wolf
By K.C. Mehaffey
Wenatchee World staff writer
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Ken Cole
Ken Cole, Buffalo Field Campaign's Executive Director, is a 5th generation Idahoan, an avid fly fisherman, wildlife enthusiast, and photographer. He was formerly the Idaho Director for Western Watersheds Project.
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How often do the radio collars malfunction? The story about the rancher killing at least one of the wolves a couple of years ago was so prolific in the Methow that it’s hard to believe that someone else from that area would take the chance unless they were particularly vindictive. There’s only one verified pack in the area with no confirmed livestock kills and no hunters have been complaining yet about lackluster mulie hunting.
If somebody did kill that wolf they would have had to do it in or near the Methow in early Spring. Not many people would have the time or resolve to go traipsing around the Chelan/Sawtooth looking for a single wolf pack, it is formidable terrain. That would be disheartening to see someone or some people so hateful that they would take that kind of risk so early in the game against Washington Wolves even after the rancher and his kid were caught.
Mr. Berg,
I agree that it’s not likely that someone went out specifically looking for this pack in order to kill some wolves. However, it would be entirely believable that someone just happened to see her and took a pot shot. I’d wager to say that’s how most of the wolves killed in ID’s and MT’s wolf hunting seasons were taken- opportunistically while they were hunting for elk/deer.
On a lighter note, a bio things there might be a third Washington pack in the Weneha/Tucannon, which would be great news, and the Diamond pack in Northeast Washington has pups. If the population in the Northeast part of the state grows and extends west along the northern edge to the Cascades within the next few years, that would be ideal.