Tag: Wolf

Wyoming criticizes ‘disrespectful’ wolf hunt, but is that enough?

The hunter is alleged to have captured the wolf, duct-taped its mouth and delivered it to a bar for display before he killed the animal.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department on Monday criticized a hunter’s ‘disrespectful’ actions several weeks after the individual allegedly ran down a wolf with a snowmobile and captured and later killed the animal.

But the agency did so without identifying the hunter or specifying his alleged deeds on Feb. 29 in Sublette County. They include duct-taping the wolf’s muzzle before transporting the animal to be shown off in a bar.

“The actions and behaviors of the individual involved in this case are not reflective of Wyoming’s values for wildlife,” Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik declared in a statement. “The actions that came to light in this case were disrespectful to wildlife.

“These actions were not in keeping with conservation principles or ethical behavior. This incident casts a shadow over our state’s proven track record in successfully and responsibly managing our gray wolf population.”

The statement was in response to a flood of complaints after the man’s alleged actions began to circulate via social media.

But the statement does not change the fact that the hunter was cited only for misdemeanor possession and importation of a live wild mammal, carrying a $250 fine.

Animal cruelty charges were not possible, the agency explained, because of the way regulations are established in parts of the state, such as Sublette County, deemed “predator zones.”

In these zones, hunters can kill wolves and other predatory animals without hunting tags, as long as kills are reported. There are no safeguards against animal harassment or torture.

“The incident occurred in a part of the state where gray wolves are legally classified as predatory animals,” Game and Fish stated. “[They] are not managed by the department and animal cruelty laws, per Wyo. Stat. Ann. 6-3-1008 (a)(vii) do not apply to predatory animals.”

The cruelty aspect generated more publicity than Game and Fish would have liked, but it remains unclear whether Wyoming will alter its regulations.

It’s worth noting that wolves in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are off-limits to hunting.

–Generic gray wolf image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Wolf-poaching incident near Yellowstone under investigation

Authorities in Montana would not say how the wolf was killed or whether it might have belonged to one of Yellowstone National Park’s known packs.

Authorities in Montana are investigating a suspected wolf-poaching incident that occurred recently near Yellowstone National Park.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated Wednesday that the wolf was killed near Mol Heron and Cinnabar creeks northwest of Gardiner on Jan. 27.

Gardiner is just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance.

FWP spokesman Morgan Jacobsen, citing an active investigation, did not provide details regarding how the wolf was killed or whether it had belonged to a pack that lives mostly inside the park.

“I can confirm that a wolf died likely as a result of a poaching incident a few miles north of Yellowstone National Park,” Jacobsen told FTW Outdoors. “And Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is conducting an investigation.”

The Yellowstone National Park Public Affairs Office also declined to provide details, citing the FWP investigation.

News From The States reports that the wolf was killed inside Montana’s Wolf Management Unit 313, where a hunting quota of six wolves was filled by Dec. 27.

All six wolves, as a Yellowstone National Park spokeswoman recently confirmed to FTW Outdoors, “belonged to packs that spend the majority of their lives inside Yellowstone National Park and have territories largely within the park.”

FWP is seeking help from the public as part of its investigation. Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to visit myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont or call 1-800-TIP-MONT.

Informants could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

–Generic Yellowstone wolf image courtesy of the National Park Service

Feds offer $50,000 reward after 3 wolves are found dead in Oregon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping the large sum will help authorities catch those responsible for poaching three endangered wolves from the same pack.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping that a $50,000 reward will help authorities catch and prosecute the person or persons responsible for killing three endangered wolves in Oregon.

An investigation was launched after Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers found the carcasses of two collared research wolves and an un-collared wolf last Dec. 29 in Klamath County.

All three wolves – a breeding adult female (OR115) and two subadults – belonged to the Gearhart Mountain Pack.

Troopers responded after Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  biologists received mortality signals from the two collars.

The ODFW stated Friday in a news release: “ODFW and OSP are assisting USFWS in the investigation of three Gearhart Mountain Pack wolves found dead in late December.

“ODFW is aware of seven wolves remaining in the Gearhart Mountain Pack including the breeding male. ODFW continues to monitor these wolves.”

Neither agency revealed how the wolves were killed but the case is reminiscent of a 2021 case – also involving a $50,000 reward – centered around the poisoning deaths of all five members of the Catherine wolf pack.

Gray wolves are federally endangered in the western two-thirds of Oregon.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to call the USFWS at (503) 682-6131, or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888. Tipsters can also text *OSP (*677), or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

Callers can remain anonymous.

–Generic gray wolf image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bears, wolf and bighorn sheep poached in same Oregon county

Authorities in Oregon are investigating recent poaching incidents involving black bear cubs, a gray wolf, and a bighorn sheep.

Authorities in Oregon are investigating recent poaching incidents involving black bear cubs, a gray wolf, and a bighorn sheep.

Each incident occurred in Baker County during the last week of November, and in each case the animals were killed unlawfully and left to waste.

It was not known if a single poacher was responsible.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division stated in a news release that on Nov. 27 two bear cubs were found dead off USFS 77 Road inside the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

Both animals had been shot.

On the same day, Fish & Wildlife troopers, acting on a tip, found a wolf carcass near Sparta Road, also within the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

On Nov. 30, a trooper responded to the discovery of a bighorn sheep ram that had been shot and left – without its head and horns – near Hubbard Creek Road within the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit.

The Lookout Wildlife Management Unit is directly below the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for the unlawful killings.

The agency’s tip lines are 800-452-7888 or *OSP (for mobile phone users). Rewards are being offered in each case.

–Generic black bear image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Tar Heels have yet another disappointing performance against NC State

UNC played poor football on Saturday night, shooting itself in the foot yet again. NC State took advantage for win number nine.

Would 2023 finally be the year UNC beats NC State in football again?

The answer was clear from opening kickoff – a resounding NO.

NC State, a team known more for its defense than its offense, hung 504 yards on the Tar Heels’ porous defense in a 39-20, Wolfpack victory.

UNC has been exposed a lot in recent weeks, but just how embarrassing was Saturday night in Raleigh?

Typically, even the hottest of teams will have an occasional drive stall out.

Not the Wolfpack. Not against the Tar Heels, who couldn’t stop a turtle from 100 yards downfield.

Dual-threat quarterback Brennan Armstrong played like an all-star for NC State, completing 22-of-31 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Kevin Concepcion gave Carolina trouble at both running back and receiver – leading all rushers with 55 yards, plus all receivers with 131 yards and two touchdowns.

How badly did UNC play on offense?

To sum it up in short, Drake Maye didn’t complete a single pass in the first quarter. He did finally end his night with 254 passing yards and two touchdowns, but a majority of that yardage and scoring came in garbage time.

Carolina star running back Omarion Hampton, who entered the game with six straight, 100-yard outputs and tied for the FBS lead in rushing yards, finished with a disappointing 28 yards on nine carries.

We all knew winning in Raleigh would be a tall task for UNC, a place it hasn’t won since a 41-10 win in 2019.

But we also figured Carolina would be more competitive in a rivalry game.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

 

Oregon elk hunter shoots and kills wolf, prompting investigation

An elk hunter in Oregon has reported killing a wolf in self-defense, prompting wildlife officials to investigate.

An elk hunter in Oregon has reported killing a wolf in self-defense, prompting wildlife officials to launch an investigation.

The Oregon State Police stated Monday that the hunter claimed to have been threatened by the wolf as he tracked elk on Nov. 2 along a ridge in Grant County.

The hunter told OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers that the wolf emerged from the trees and stared him down as he yelled and waved his arms in an attempt to frighten the animal.

“The wolf then reportedly looked at the hunter from a distance of approximately 30 yards and started coming directly toward the hunter,” OSP described in a news release. “The hunter stated he feared for his safety and fired one round, striking the wolf and killing it instantly.”

Troopers who visited the scene determined that the wolf was about 18 yards from the hunter when he shot the animal. A second wolf also emerged but ran off after the hunter fired into the air.

Wolves are protected in Oregon and there is no general sport-hunting season for the animals.

OSP said a report on the incident will be submitted to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office.

The agency added: “Preliminary investigation revealed the hunter acted reasonably in shooting the wolf for personal safety and appropriately notified officials immediately upon shooting the wolf.”

–Generic wolf image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Watch: Coyote freaks out in presence of trail camera

Footage shows wolves and a coyote reacting to trail cameras, with the coyote earning the prize for theatrics.

On Friday we shared footage showing an elusive Yellowstone National Park wolf pack reacting to a remote motion-sensor trail camera.

Taylor Rabe, a researcher, stated via Instagram: “Wolves are very aware when cameras are in the area, and you can see these two adults checking it out!”

Her video was reminiscent of the accompanying footage, captured last year in Canada’s Yukon Territory. In the Yukon Wildlife Cams video, the canid is a coyote and its response is spirited.

David Troup of Yukon Trail Cams stated on Facebook: “Coyotes are known for being wary of trail cameras as this one demonstrates with a rather animated response upon that sudden realization.”

In the footage, the coyote stops in its tracks and bows briefly before bounding away from perceived danger.

Troup’s cameras are disguised but he explained, “Inevitably wildlife can detect peculiarities in their environment, whether it’s by sight, sound or smell.”

Yukon Wildlife Cams last year also shared footage showing a momma grizzly bear mouthing a trail camera near a pond.

Best trail-cam reaction – Yellowstone wolf or Yukon coyote?

Which animal has the best reaction after encountering a trail camera, the Yellowstone wolf or Yukon coyote?

Remote trail cameras wonderfully showcase the natural behavior of wild animals, but that’s not always the case.

For example, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project recently shared footage showing a wolf in Yellowstone National Park licking a trail-cam’s lens.

“Just a short clip of some wild wolves from Yellowstone, courtesy of our colleagues at the National Park Service,” the RMWP stated March 27 on Facebook.

The footage, posted below, shows a lead wolf become curious about the camera before stopping to lick the device. Several other wolves ignore the camera.

The footage was somewhat reminiscent of a clip featured here last December, showing a coyote’s comical response after encountering a trail camera in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

In the footage, posted below, the coyote bows briefly before bounding from a perceived danger.

David Troup of Yukon Wildlife Cams stated: “Inevitably wildlife can detect peculiarities in their environment, whether it’s by sight, sound or smell.”

Last September, one of Troup’s cameras captured footage of a grizzly bear responding like the Yellowstone wolf.

Troup wrote on Facebook: “A family of grizzly bears find a camera and investigate the peculiarity in September, with a quick view inside mom’s mouth included.”

–Editor’s note: A similar version of this post, with more focus on Yellowstone wolves, was published April 18

Watch: Wolf tries to run down elk in Grand Teton National Park

A Wyoming ecotour guide this week shared suspenseful footage showing a wolf trying to run down a large elk in Grand Teton National Park.

A Wyoming ecotour guide this week shared suspenseful footage showing a wolf trying to run down a large elk in Grand Teton National Park.

Bo Welden, naturalist and guide for Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures, noted the impressive strides by both critters and observed via Instagram:

“There is an undeniable power in both these species of animals and to see it firing on all cylinders was beyond incredible. Guides and guests wait for moments like this for years, so I felt very lucky to have witnessed this one.”

At one point during the pursuit, both animals cross a highway in front of an idling vehicle.

Welden explained that fleeing elk will try to access rivers for safety. In this case the elk simply outran the wolf “and walked away alive” in footage accompanied by Sia’s hit song “Unstoppable.”

ALSO: Watch coyote’s ‘animated response’ after detecting trail camera

Welden told FTW Outdoors that he captured the footage in October 2021, and that the wolf belonged to the Wildcat Ridge Pack in the park’s northern region. (Grand Teton National Park is just south of Yellowstone National Park.)

Generic elk image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

“That evening was magical because it highlighted the fact that wolves are not 100% successful in their hunts,” Welden said. “Elk are strong and fast and wolves try to kill them with their faces [teeth]. That’s hard to do.”

Wolves are sometimes killed by elk and typically work as a pack to bring one down.

Welden added: “Both the elk and the wolf deserve tremendous respect as members of a beautiful intact ecosystem. We need them both here. Without the other the one will suffer.”

–Generic wolf image courtesy of NPS/Yellowstone National Park

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Watch: Yellowstone wolves chase nosy bear up a tree

A tour company that operates in Yellowstone National Park has shared footage showing two male wolves chasing a black bear up a tree.

A tour company that operates in Yellowstone National Park has shared footage showing two wolves chasing a bear up a tree.

“Black bear wanders into the wrong neighborhood,” Yellowstone Wolf Tracker wrote this week on Instagram.

The footage, captured by a Wolf Tracker guide, shows the bear leaping onto the tree and scrambling several feet up to escape the older male wolves. (If footage doesn’t appear below, click here.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg5Nqqgvdfg/

If viewers swipe to the the second clip they’ll see one of the wolves baring its teeth.

ALSO: Humpback whale picks up unintended passenger; photos

A commenter asked if the bear or wolves were hurt during the confrontation and Wolf Tracker responded: “All okay! Just some friendly disagreements.”

The disagreement began when the bear approached the wolves’ freshly killed bison. “They chased and harassed this bear up the same tree for close to half an hour!” Wolf Tracker wrote.

The wolves belong to the Junction Butte Pack, which roams the park’s northern range.

–Black bear image is generic, courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service