This is a moderately good overview of the general wolf situation and history of wolves in Montana from the 1980s.
Wolf shot; animal had killed cattle. By Michael Jamison of the Missoulian.
On the other hand, whoever wrote the headline for Jamison’s story and the first three paragraphs (they are in boldface) was generally uniformed and wanted to make wolves sound at least somewhat out of control.
For example, a wolf getting shot after killing cattle is hardly news anymore. It doesn’t merit a headline. In the main part of the story goes on to describe how relatively few livestock have been killed in Montana by wolves . . . “With all those wolves, [Kent] Laudon said, ‘it is surprising there aren’t more livestock kills. During the entire decade from 1995 to 2004, he said, 167 Montana cows were confirmed lost to wolves, and 397 sheep.’ “
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 creator of The Wildlife News.
This information needs to get out. The predation numbers on livestock by wolves are WAY below those predicted by rapid anti-wolfers and ranchers and are even way below those predicted by wildlife biologists. Wolf recovery is on track, but can still be derailed by misinformation and hatred so more people need to know just how little impact wolves have had on livestock (and wildlife).