Wolves continually disperse southward in Wyoming following the drainages like the Greys River and the flanks of the Wyoming Range and the Salt River Range.
Most, but not all, run into lots of livestock, especially sheep as they get further south, and the wolves disappear.
Here, from last summer, is a band of sheep getting bedded down, at the very southern end of the Salt River Range. The area is full of aspen, beaver ponds, elk, deer and moose, so the wolves are not short of wild prey, but there are so many sheep!
Sheep in the Smith’s Fork. Salt River Range. Copyright Ralph Maughan
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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 past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
“and the wolves disappear.”
Sheep make wolves disappear?
Riiiiiight.
Just look at how this “Wildlife” habitat is over-run by these sheep! What a waste! Even if you think sheep belong in a “Wildlife Habitat”, who wants to walk through tons of sheep crap and damaged foliage! Man continues to screw up the balance of our ecosystem. Bring back the wolves!! Ranchers, buy your own land for your “domesticated” animals.