DOCSLIB.ORG

Impacts of Montana Public Wolf Hunting and Trapping on Tolerance and Acceptance of Gray Wolves Among Rural Resident Ranchers, Trappers, and Big Game Hunters

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Impacts of Montana Public Wolf Hunting and Trapping on Tolerance and Acceptance of Gray Wolves Among Rural Resident Ranchers, Trappers, and Big Game Hunters University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2014 Impacts of Montana Public Wolf Hunting and Trapping on Tolerance and Acceptance of Gray Wolves Among Rural Resident Ranchers, Trappers, and Big Game Hunters Alia Winn Mulder The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Mulder, Alia Winn, "Impacts of Montana Public Wolf Hunting and Trapping on Tolerance and Acceptance of Gray Wolves Among Rural Resident Ranchers, Trappers, and Big Game Hunters" (2014). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4267. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4267 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IMPACTS OF MONTANA PUBLIC WOLF HUNTING AND TRAPPING ON TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRAY WOLVES AMONG RURAL RESIDENT RANCHERS, TRAPPERS, AND BIG GAME HUNTERS By ALIA WINN MULDER B.S. Natural Resources: Wildlife Specialty, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 2009 Graduate Certificate: Natural Resource Conflict Resolution, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2013 Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of: Master of Science in Environmental Studies The University of Montana Missoula, MT May, 2014 Approved by: Sandy Ross, Dean of The Graduate School Graduate School Len Broberg, Chair Environmental Studies Department Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf Department of Society and Conservation Alexander Metcalf Department of Forest Management Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Research Purpose and Questions ................................................................................................ 1 Statement of Need ....................................................................................................................... 2 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................ 4 Early History of Wolves and Humans in America ..................................................................... 4 Wolf Recovery ............................................................................................................................ 6 Montana State Gray Wolf Management Plan ........................................................................... 10 RELEVANT LITERATURE ........................................................................................................ 15 Wolf Reintroduction Promises: Predicted Impacts and Concerns ............................................ 16 Environmental Impacts ......................................................................................................... 19 Socioeconomic Impacts ........................................................................................................ 21 Approaches to Wildlife Attitude Studies .................................................................................. 22 Research on Public Acceptance of Predators ............................................................................ 28 METHODS ................................................................................................................................... 34 FINDINGS .................................................................................................................................... 42 The Politics of Wolf Recovery: Frustration, Inequity, and Distrust ......................................... 44 Need for Management and Control........................................................................................... 47 The Shape of Management: Allowance of Public Hunting and Trapping ............................ 47 Intent to Participate in Public Wolf Hunting and Trapping .................................................. 52 Livelihood and Way of Life ...................................................................................................... 53 Livestock and Agriculture ..................................................................................................... 54 Game Impacts ....................................................................................................................... 56 Personal “Affects”, Beliefs, and Attitudes ................................................................................ 58 Interactions with Predators ....................................................................................................... 60 Cultural and Social Influences .................................................................................................. 62 Family History ...................................................................................................................... 62 Cultural Norms and Values ................................................................................................... 63 Place in the Landscape and Ecosystem ..................................................................................... 64 Noted Changes in Tolerance ..................................................................................................... 66 STUDY LIMITATIONS .............................................................................................................. 70 COMPARISON OF FINDINGS TO PREVIOUS RESEARCH ................................................. 73 IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................... 81 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 85 ii APPENDIX A: INTERVIEW GUIDE QUESTIONS .................................................................. 99 APPENDIX B: NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY WOLF TIMELINE ..................... 99 APPENDIX C: TERMINOLOGY .............................................................................................. 100 List of Figures Figure 1: US Fish and Wildlife Service graph of annual NRM gray wolf minimum population count trends (USFWS 2014) ........................................................................................................... 7 Figure 2: Fish, Wildlife, and Parks map of currently known Montana gray wolf pack distributions (FWP 2014) ...................................................................................................... 15 Figure 3: Study area locations (Neotreks Geospatial Maps 2014) ............................................... 35 Figure 4: Factors influencing tolerance and acceptance of wolves .............................................. 43 List of Tables Table 1: Montana gray wolf demographics documented in Interagency and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Annual Reports for 2002 to 2013 (MFWP 2003-2014, USFWS 2003- 2012)……………………………………………………………………..………………………12 Table 2: Interviewee demographic data………………………………………………………….41 iii Introduction Throughout both North American and European history societal values have “determine[d] the survival of species such as the wolf” (Musiani & Paquet 2004). Human persecution of apex predators led to extirpation of species such as grizzly bears, European lynx, mountain lions, black bears and gray wolves (Canis lupus) throughout extensive portions of their natural ranges. In the United States, wildlife management has been predicated on common law as carried over from Europe, and formalized in an 1896 Supreme Court ruling (Geer vs. Connecticut, 161 U.S. 519). Under the Public Trust Doctrine, wildlife was placed in trust for the “benefit of the people” via state control and regulation (Bruskotter et al. 2013, Bean and Rowland 1997, Smith 2005, and The Wildlife Society 2010). This doctrine has made public support of agency actions and policies a critical factor in predator management. Managing agencies that do not adequately manage for public approval and acceptance of policies and actions may be subverted through legislative or judicial measures (Bruskotter et al. 2009, Zinn & Manfredo 1998, and 50-CFR-17). This has already been seen in the case of Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) gray wolves. Public pressure and frustration with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) delisting process led a Montanan senator to step outside the bounds of traditional administrative resolution methods to find legislative means to permanently delist Montana wolves. In the state of Montana, nearly sixty percent of land is privately owned and ranching, trapping, and hunting interest groups are powerful lobbies. Acceptance of wolves among these groups and the general public will be crucial for maintaining a viable wolf population. Research Purpose and Questions This project sought to examine how Montana public wolf hunting and trapping seasons, recently created under state controlled management, have impacted public acceptance of 1 Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) gray wolves within the state. The following research questions were explored through in-depth interviews with members of the ranching and hunting/trapping communities: 1) How has the institution of public
Load more

Recommended publications
  • After Long-Term Decline, Are Aspen Recovering in Northern Yellowstone? ⇑ Luke E
    Forest Ecology and Management 329 (2014) 108–117 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Forest Ecology and Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foreco After long-term decline, are aspen recovering in northern Yellowstone? ⇑ Luke E. Painter a, , Robert L. Beschta a, Eric J. Larsen b, William J. Ripple a a Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA b Department of Geography and Geology, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897, USA article info abstract Article history: In northern Yellowstone National Park, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands were dying out in the Received 18 December 2013 late 20th century following decades of intensive browsing by Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus). In Received in revised form 28 May 2014 1995–1996 gray wolves (Canis lupus) were reintroduced, joining bears (Ursus spp.) and cougars (Puma Accepted 30 May 2014 concolor) to complete the guild of large carnivores that prey on elk. This was followed by a marked decline in elk density and change in elk distribution during the years 1997–2012, due in part to increased pre- dation. We hypothesized that these changes would result in less browsing and an increase in height of Keywords: young aspen. In 2012, we sampled 87 randomly selected stands in northern Yellowstone, and compared Wolves our data to baseline measurements from 1997 and 1998. Browsing rates (the percentage of leaders Elk Browsing effects browsed annually) in 1997–1998 were consistently high, averaging 88%, and only 1% of young aspen Trophic cascade in sample plots were taller than 100 cm; none were taller than 200 cm.
    [Show full text]
  • Wolf Interactions with Non-Prey
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center US Geological Survey 2003 Wolf Interactions with Non-prey Warren B. Ballard Texas Tech University Ludwig N. Carbyn Canadian Wildlife Service Douglas W. Smith US Park Service Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsnpwrc Part of the Animal Sciences Commons, Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Ballard, Warren B.; Carbyn, Ludwig N.; and Smith, Douglas W., "Wolf Interactions with Non-prey" (2003). USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 325. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsnpwrc/325 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 10 Wolf Interactions with Non-prey Warren B. Ballard, Ludwig N. Carbyn, and Douglas W. Smith WOLVES SHARE THEIR ENVIRONMENT with many an­ wolves and non-prey species. The inherent genetic, be­ imals besides those that they prey on, and the nature of havioral, and morphological flexibility of wolves has the interactions between wolves and these other crea­ allowed them to adapt to a wide range of habitats and tures varies considerably. Some of these sympatric ani­ environmental conditions in Europe, Asia, and North mals are fellow canids such as foxes, coyotes, and jackals. America. Therefore, the role of wolves varies consider­ Others are large carnivores such as bears and cougars.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Wolf Reintroduction on Coyote Temporal Activity
    Background Information and Study Design: Motivation: Effects of Wolf We will conduct an observational study in Montana, Wisconsin, and Maine, which are spread out over the U.S. - In each of these states we will have ● After wolves (Canis lupus) were driven to extinction in Reintroduction three control groups and three experimental groups where we study the the United States, coyotes (Canis latrans) expanded temporal activity of both wolves and coyotes. into niches previously occupied by wolves. on Coyote As a control group, we will study areas where coyotes live, but wolves have ● 1990’s - efforts were made to reintroduce wolves; led yet to be reintroduced. to successful re-establishment of several wolf packs Temporal Activity We plan on monitoring temporal activity through the use of radio collars to and a return to their status as the dominant predator By Tessa Garufi, Lily Grady, and track coyote movement. If movement is occurring primarily at night with no ● In areas where wolves and coyotes now coexist, Libby Boulanger motion during the day, it can be reasoned that the coyotes in the area are coyotes experience increased pressure - they have to primarily nocturnal and if movement is during the day with no motion at night, contend with the risk of wolf-caused mortalities and it can be reasoned that they are primarily diurnal. Wolf temporal activity will resource competition against a more dominant also be monitored to determine how different the activity timing of wolves and predator. coyotes are in areas where they coexist. ● We want to determine if coyotes living in the same area as wolves have experienced a temporal niche Intended Analysis shift as a response to the increased pressure - if a Because our independent variable is categorical with two groups shift has occurred, it could lead to an increase in (wolves present or wolves absent) and our response variable is potentially harmful coyote-human interactions.
    [Show full text]
  • Red Wolf Brochure
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Endangered Red Wolves The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reintroducing red wolves to prevent extinction of the species and to restore the ecosystems in which red wolves once occurred, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. According to the Act, endangered and threatened species are of aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the nation and its people. On the Edge of Extinction The red wolf historically roamed as a top predator throughout the southeastern U.S. but today is one of the most endangered animals in the world. Aggressive predator control programs and clearing of forested habitat combined to cause impacts that brought the red wolf to the brink of extinction. By 1970, the entire population of red wolves was believed to be fewer than 100 animals confined to a small area of coastal Texas and Louisiana. In 1980, the red wolf was officially declared extinct in the wild, while only a small number of red wolves remained in captivity. During the 1970’s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established criteria which helped distinguish the red wolf species from other canids. From 1974 to 1980, the Service applied these criteria to find that only 17 red wolves were still living. Based on additional Greg Koch breeding studies, only 14 of these wolves were selected as founders to begin the red wolf captive breeding population. The captive breeding program is coordinated for the Service by the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, with goals of conserving red wolf genetic diversity and providing red wolves for restoration to the wild.
    [Show full text]
  • Wolf and Elk Management in a Spatial Predator-Prey Ecosystem
    Wolf and Elk Management in a Spatial Predator-Prey Ecosystem David Aadland David Finnoff Jacob Hochard Charles Sims* July 11, 2016 Abstract. This paper provides insights into a complex and politically charged wildlife management problem using a spatial predator-prey model. The model is motivated by the spatiotemporal dynamics between elk, wolves, hunters and cattle ranchers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Wildlife managers set hunting rates for elk and wolves to maximize the stream of ecosystem services derived from the GYE over time. The management component of the model considers tradeoffs between tourism, hunting, and cattle grazing currently facing wildlife managers. The predator-prey component of the model incorporates intraspecific competition and spatially explicit predation risk calibrated to the GYE. Contrary to a recent judicial ruling that has placed a moratorium on hunting wolves in Wyoming, optimal management within our model calls for more aggressive wolf hunting outside of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). The model also calls for a lower elk hunting rate, which leads to a higher steady-state population of elk, more prey for wolves, and less livestock predation. This combination of a prescribed lower elk hunting rate and higher wolf hunting rate is robust to a wide range of parameter values. *Aadland ([email protected]) and Finnoff are associate professors in the Department of Economics and Finance, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071. Hochard is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics, East Carolina University. Sims is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics, University of Tennessee. 1 “The wolf’s repopulation of the northern parts of the lower forty-eight states, now well under way, will stand as one of the primary conservation achievements of the twentieth century…If we have learned anything from this ordeal, it is that the best way to ensure continued wolf survival is, ironically enough, not to protect wolves completely.” L.
    [Show full text]
  • Alaska's Predator Control Programs
    Alaska’sAlaska’s PredatorPredator ControlControl ProgramsPrograms Managing for Abundance or Abundant Mismanagement? In 1995, Alaska Governor Tony Knowles responded to negative publicity over his state’s predator control programs by requesting a National Academy of Sciences review of Alaska’s entire approach to predator control. Following the review Governor Knowles announced that no program should be considered unless it met three criteria: cost-effectiveness, scientific scrutiny and broad public acceptability. The National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC) released its review, Wolves, Bears, and Their Prey in Alaska, in 1997, drawing conclusions and making recommendations for management of Alaska’s predators and prey. In 1996, prior to the release of the NRC report, the Wolf Management Reform Coalition, a group dedicated to promoting fair-chase hunting and responsible management of wolves in Alaska, published Showdown in Alaska to document the rise of wolf control in Alaska and the efforts undertaken to stop it. This report, Alaska’s Predator Control Programs: Managing for Abundance or Abundant Mismanagement? picks up where that 1996 report left off. Acknowledgements Authors: Caroline Kennedy, Theresa Fiorino Editor: Kate Davies Designer: Pete Corcoran DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. www.defenders.org Cover photo: © Nick Jans © 2011 Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-4604 202.682.9400 333 West 4th Avenue, Suite 302 Anchorage, AK 99501 907.276.9453 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2 2. The National Research Council Review ......................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Should We Hunt Gray Wolves in Michigan?
    SHOULD WE HUNT GRAY WOLVES IN MICHIGAN? AUGUST 2018 Dean’s Welcome Welcome, SEAS students! Before you know it, you will be boarding a bus with your classmates, headed for the University of Michigan Biological Station (the “Biostation”) in beautiful Northern Michigan—or “Up North” as Michiganders call it. There, during an immersive orientation experience, you will explore, learn, bond—and become an integral part of our community. This is just the beginning of your graduate career at SEAS, throughout which we will work together to solve some of the world’s most complex environmental problems. This is why you chose SEAS, and why we chose you. It is all very exciting, and we cannot wait to get started. So, why wait? The following case study details an active issue in the state of Michigan: whether or not to allow a public wolf hunt. During your time at the Biostation, you will be asked to examine the issue from opposing, nuanced perspectives, challenging your own gut reaction to the problem. Discussions will be guided by the scientific, political, economic, and social analyses included in these pages. You will actively collaborate with your classmates to uncover and synthesize facts, ultimately building a responsible, sustainable policy recommendation on Michigan’s wolf population. To prepare, simply read the case study and let it simmer. There is no need to do additional research. Enjoy your time at orientation. Get to know your classmates. Explore the gorgeous landscape. And then, come September 4th, join us back at the Dana Building ready to launch your graduate education and set out on a path of meaningful work—work that will have an impact on generations to come.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Wolf Hunting Policy on Moose Populations in Northern Minnesota Thomas J Mackey† and Thomas Bryce Kelly*
    Impact of wolf hunting policy on moose populations in northern Minnesota Thomas J Mackey† and Thomas Bryce Kelly* *Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. Email: [email protected] 5 † Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. Email: [email protected] s t n i r P e 10 r P 15 Abstract An ongoing and politically sensitive aspect of proper ecological stewardship revolves around improving the conditions and health of all of the species in the area of 20 concern including both predator and prey species. Human industrial activities have dramatically reduced the land area available to the native species which has placed stresses and fragility into the ecological web. Maintaining proper ecological dynamics has become a critical aspect of policy initiatives designed to safeguard our natural reserves including the establishment of ecological forests and sanctuaries. Herein we 25 outline our proposal to tackle a central issue in wildlife management: improving our knowledge of predator-prey dynamics that vary both temporally and specially in non- linear ways. By leveraging techniques pioneered in other disciplines in addition to the traditional methods, we aim to drastically improve our understanding of the Moose-Grey Wolf interaction and to develop a system with applicability in other regions and other 30 species. PeerJ PrePrints | http://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.769v2 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access | rec: 31 Dec 2014, publ: 31 Dec 2014 2 | Mackey and Kelly Introduction Northern Minnesota exists at the southern boundary of Moose (Alces alces) distributions in central North America. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 5 (Minnesota DNR) conducts annual aerial plot surveys to estimate Moose populations.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Analysis of Predator Management Techniques of North
    Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Honors Projects Undergraduate Research and Creative Practice 4-23-2014 A Comparative Analysis of Predator Management Techniques of North American Wolf Species and Potential Applications in Michigan Madison Ball Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/honorsprojects Recommended Citation Ball, Madison, "A Comparative Analysis of Predator Management Techniques of North American Wolf Species and Potential Applications in Michigan" (2014). Honors Projects. 293. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/honorsprojects/293 This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Practice at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Projects by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A comparative analysis of predator management techniques of North American wolf species and potential applications in Michigan Madison Ball Honors Senior Project Proposal Project Advisor: Professor Ali Locher 23 April 2014 1 Abstract Wolf populations have continued to increase after the Endangered Species Act of 1973 within the United States. Many resilient populations have reestablished themselves and have since become delisted as endangered species. Wolf reestablishment, especially near areas close to humans, has created new management problems that wildlife and land managers are responsible for solving. As wolf populations grow and human development pushes closer and closer to wild areas, conflicts pertaining to depredation of livestock, safety of pets and citizens, and potential effects on prey species populations arise. Since multiple interest groups are involved in wolf management, it is dire that wolf related mandates have multidisciplinary approaches in order to please all groups and dissolve tension.
    [Show full text]
  • February 2021 Wolf Hunting and Trapping Regulations
    FEBRUARY 2021 WOLF HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to: Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, etc.) upon request. Please call Accessibility Coordinator at 608-267-7490 for more information. REMEMBER • You must notify the DNR within 24 hours of harvest by visiting GameReg. wi.gov or by calling 844-GAMEREG (844-426-3734 • You must also exhibit your wolf to an authorized DNR representative (usually a Conservation Warden) for registration and tagging no later than March 7, 2021. -Before registering a wolf with an authorized DNR representative, you must skin the animal and separate the pelt from the carcass. Be sure it is thawed out on the day of registration so that the registration tag can be attached. This does not need to be completed before registration for specimens going to a taxidermist. Persons who intend to have the wolf mounted by a taxidermist may exhibit the wolf to the department for registration without separating the pelt. The skinned carcass must be exhibited to the department within 30 days of registration. (Note: These animals must still be registered prior to taxidermy). -Contact the local Conservation Warden or wildlife biologist or call 888- 936-7463 to determine available times for registration. • This pamphlet gives a summary of Wisconsin’s wolf hunting and trapping laws and how they affect you; it is not a complete set of all the hunting- related laws.
    [Show full text]
  • Wyoming Gray Wolf Monitoring and Management 2019 Annual Report
    WYOMING GRAY WOLF MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Prepared by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in cooperation with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, and Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe Tribal Fish and Game Department to fulfill the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirement to report the status, distribution and management of the gray wolf population in Wyoming from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY At the end of 2019, the wolf population in Wyoming remained above minimum delisting criteria; making 2019 the 18th consecutive year Wyoming has exceeded the numerical, distributional, and temporal delisting criteria established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At least 311 wolves in ≥43 packs (including ≥22 breeding pairs) inhabited Wyoming on December 31, 2019. Of the total, there were ≥94 wolves and ≥8 packs (≥7 breeding pairs) in Yellowstone National Park, ≥16 wolves and ≥3 packs (1 breeding pair) in the Wind River Reservation, and ≥201 wolves and ≥32 packs (≥14 breeding pairs) in Wyoming outside Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Reservation (WYO). In WYO, ≥175 wolves in ≥27 packs resided primarily in the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area where wolves are actively monitored and managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and ≥26 wolves in ≥5 packs in areas where wolves are designated primarily as predatory animals and are not actively monitored. A total of 96 wolf mortalities were documented statewide in Wyoming in 2019: 92 in WYO, 3 in Yellowstone National Park, and 1 in the Wind River Reservation.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California PART I December 2016
    California Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California Part I December 2016 Charlton H. Bonham, Director Cover photograph by Gary Kramer This document should be cited as: Kovacs, K. E., K.E. Converse, M.C. Stopher, J.H. Hobbs, M.L. Sommer, P.J. Figura, D.A. Applebee, D.L. Clifford, and D.J. Michaels. Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California. 2016. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, CA 329 pp. The preparers want to acknowledge Department of Fish and Wildlife staff who contributed to the preparation of this document. They include Steve Torres, Angela Donlan, and Kirsten Macintyre. Further, we appreciate the agencies and staff from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their generous support in our efforts to prepare this document. We are also indebted to our facilitation experts at Kearns and West, specifically Sam Magill. Table of Contents – PART I INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Plan Development ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Plan Goals ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Summary of Historical Distribution and Abundance of Wolves in California .....................................
    [Show full text]