They say the population is down but confidence limits overlap significantly so actually it could be the same or slightly down from 4-5 years ago. Personally I think it is down some but extremely healthy still. With the range really not shrinking. The last winter or two been seeing a few less tracks.

I think the biggest reason for a small drop in numbers the wolf population from Mille lacs to the Canada border this last four years there has been severe widespread cases of mange in the timber wolves with I and others seeing animals sometimes with little hair left(coyotes and fox have been suffering also). I think this last winter it was not as severe.

Also just like all wildlife populations are never really constant. I also think as planned management of the wolf should continued as planned by the DNR.

wolf population

quote PINETREE: Also just like all wildlife populations are never really constant. I also think as planned management of the wolf should continued as planned by the DNR. "

So when you are in the woods and shoot a wolf, do you take the meat home and serve it to your family? I'm just wondering what all the hunters do with the carcasses. I haven't heard how tasty wolf meat is.

Tom

OK lets take a deep breath before this gets ugly.

Certain things we do know such as it takes 53 reindeer to pull Santa's sleigh.....according to a DNR estimate.
CB

Question was before I posted this was the posting going to maintain civil,I hope so.It was more of a informative posting of wolf management, a continued process that keeps changing with time. It is a animal to admire and I always will,but hoping if any discussion it would be along biological lines.

Number one I don't hunt wolves and don't plan to. Like a few I took the time to help in this years count in a small way,but important way. I care about the wolf's future. I have no interest to. Somebody else wants to apply for a permit that's fine with me. I also was on board at the beginning to push for it to go on the Endangered Species act around 1970. But now it is time move on and let it be managed by the DNR and those who choose may put in for a limited hunting opportunity. I have seen where many wolves have changed and become too tame and not afraid of human contact. Do they effect deer populations yes,but they also help control diseases spreading like chronic waste disease etc.. Do they effect Moose populations,yes,but there also it is one of many factors.

My original post was just to keep people up to date and informed for people who have a interest in wolves. No matter where they stand.

quote tumblehome: "

quote PINETREE: Also just like all wildlife populations are never really constant. I also think as planned management of the wolf should continued as planned by the DNR. "

So when you are in the woods and shoot a wolf, do you take the meat home and serve it to your family? I'm just wondering what all the hunters do with the carcasses. I haven't heard how tasty wolf meat is.

Tom

"

I read on a hunting message board (24hourcampfire.com) an account of a guy grillling wolf backstraps and serving them to guests--everybody who tried them thought they were delicious.

That being said, it's not the norm--I'd guess they are hunted primarily for their pelts.

The endangered species law has done its job and the population has recovered. It worked time to delist. Even David Mech the leading wolf researcher believes a limited hunt/trapping season is the only way to effectively manage the population.
CB

I'm keeping it civil and didn't mean to offend anyone.

To reply to the posts so far:

What about human management? That's the real problem. 5 million humans in MN, 2000 wolves. And who says there are too many wolves? Is there a guy in an office that makes up a number and decides? And Pinetree, you did throw in an editorial so you should expect a rebuttal.

If a guy wants to serve his friends wolf meet, that's great. Some people also eat cattle testicles.

Keeping it civil, but keeping it real.

tom

quote PINETREE: "
Question was before I posted this was the posting going to maintain civil,I hope so.It was more of a informative posting of wolf management, a continued process that keeps changing with time. It is a animal to admire and I always will,but hoping if any discussion it would be along biological lines.


Number one I don't hunt wolves and don't plan to. Like a few I took the time to help in this years count in a small way,but important way. I care about the wolf's future. I have no interest to. Somebody else wants to apply for a permit that's fine with me. I also was on board at the beginning to push for it to go on the Endangered Species act around 1970. But now it is time move on and let it be managed by the DNR and those who choose may put in for a limited hunting opportunity. I have seen where many wolves have changed and become too tame and not afraid of human contact. Do they effect deer populations yes,but they also help control diseases spreading like chronic waste disease etc.. Do they effect Moose populations,yes,but there also it is one of many factors.

My original post was just to keep people up to date and informed for people who have a interest in wolves. No matter where they stand.


"

Excellent post. Unfortunately, managing the human population - a la China - probably won't happen in our lifetimes. So wolves need to be managed, just like everything else. I love wolves and spent a good part of my career protecting them. But my affinity for ANY species does not override my common sense. There needs to be balance, and a species can't be protected ad infinitum, just because people "like" them. Likewise, I don't think they need to be kept to a minimum number, just to make someone's deer hunt more successful (per the article, I have no idea why the director of the MN Deer Hunter's Association even has any input on wolf management - ?).

Definitely a polarizing issue. Of all the protected species issues I've ever worked on, I've never seen a species that was so hated by so many, especially up here in Northern MN. More often than not, it's an irrational hatred, in my opinion, usually because dad hated them and grandpa hated them before that.

quote tumblehome: "I'm keeping it civil and didn't mean to offend anyone.


To reply to the posts so far:


What about human management? That's the real problem. 5 million humans in MN, 2000 wolves. And who says there are too many wolves? Is there a guy in an office that makes up a number and decides? And Pinetree, you did throw in an editorial so you should expect a rebuttal.


If a guy wants to serve his friends wolf meet, that's great. Some people also eat cattle testicles.


Keeping it civil, but keeping it real.


tom"

Your correct the human population is a huge factor.

No problem on your statement,I know nothing was meant personally(but when you said I am in the woods and shooting a wolf-which I have no intention to shoot one myself, sounded a little direct.But like I said earlier other hunters that is their own choice, and the human population is a factor like you said,which suppose to double in Minnesota in 30 years(that is scary).
Lot of fingers in the future equations of wildlife. It all comes down to habitat and natural areas.
Number of wolves just right for some is not right for others. Farmers,deer hunters,moose numbers and how tame do we let wolves get?
Like I said earlier I have done much to promote the wolf and always will. But I believe their is a balance which yes the general human population accepts. Right or wrong. What is a acceptable number?
I think we came a long way when you look back Minnesota had a bounty on wolves and even black bears once. That mentality was not sensible. But sadly it was accepted at one time.

In the Wildlife management field it is often said management of the resources is actually is management of the people in many ways.

Wolf management always was and always will be a controversial topic,some of it pure emotional and some of it biological.

quote tumblehome: "

quote PINETREE: Also just like all wildlife populations are never really constant. I also think as planned management of the wolf should continued as planned by the DNR. "

So when you are in the woods and shoot a wolf, do you take the meat home and serve it to your family? I'm just wondering what all the hunters do with the carcasses. I haven't heard how tasty wolf meat is.

Tom

"

Similar to when a fur trapper harvests a mink, fox, coyote etc. the hunter would collect the hide and discard the carcass.

I believe the original proposal from the DNR was to manage the wolf as another fur bearer. The legislature got ahold of it and added the November hunt.

quote Northland: "

quote PINETREE: "
Question was before I posted this was the posting going to maintain civil,I hope so.It was more of a informative posting of wolf management, a continued process that keeps changing with time. It is a animal to admire and I always will,but hoping if any discussion it would be along biological lines.



Number one I don't hunt wolves and don't plan to. Like a few I took the time to help in this years count in a small way,but important way. I care about the wolf's future. I have no interest to. Somebody else wants to apply for a permit that's fine with me. I also was on board at the beginning to push for it to go on the Endangered Species act around 1970. But now it is time move on and let it be managed by the DNR and those who choose may put in for a limited hunting opportunity. I have seen where many wolves have changed and become too tame and not afraid of human contact. Do they effect deer populations yes,but they also help control diseases spreading like chronic waste disease etc.. Do they effect Moose populations,yes,but there also it is one of many factors.


My original post was just to keep people up to date and informed for people who have a interest in wolves. No matter where they stand.



"

Excellent post. Unfortunately, managing the human population - a la China - probably won't happen in our lifetimes. So wolves need to be managed, just like everything else. I love wolves and spent a good part of my career protecting them. But my affinity for ANY species does not override my common sense. There needs to be balance, and a species can't be protected ad infinitum, just because people "like" them. Likewise, I don't think they need to be kept to a minimum number, just to make someone's deer hunt more successful (per the article, I have no idea why the director of the MN Deer Hunter's Association even has any input on wolf management - ?).


Definitely a polarizing issue. Of all the protected species issues I've ever worked on, I've never seen a species that was so hated by so many, especially up here in Northern MN. More often than not, it's an irrational hatred, in my opinion, usually because dad hated them and grandpa hated them before that."

Good post.

DNR site -wolf

Seems all wildlife is in a constant state of flux. It's the natural order of things. I've no issues with wolf permits, or reintroduction. I would however have issue with trapping and treatment of critters not on endangered lists to treat mange, etc. Then releasing them. I guess one extreme would be trapping deer to make them sterile because they are a nuisance in some areas.