Wolf Crossing

    For the folks living outside the wolf recovery area please make note of 

    the problems with the constant changes/interpretations of the guidelines 

    contrary to SOP’s (standard operating procedures) for you will have to 

    deal with this when the wolf recovery boundaries are expander to the 

    rest of New Mexico.

    There are so many wolf problems, but one fact is constant; Anytime there 

    is a wolf problem the wolf comes first over and above children, pets, 

    and livestock.

    The new USFWS wolf biologist is Annmarie Houser. She responds when John 

    Oakleaf cannot respond to a wolf depredation per SOP 11 and SOP13 to 

    investigate a wolf attraction/baiting incident against a rancher.

    Ms. Houser stated she came from Africa where she worked with large cats 

    for the last seven years. That the people who raise cattle there are 

    called farmers, not ranchers. Also the government there pays 

    compensation to a farmer when a leopard etc. kills livestock. But, the 

    government is looking at stopping the compensation program because the 

    farmer are not trying to protect or adopt protective measures for their 

    cattle. If they take away the compensation, the farmer will have to work 

    to protect their cattle.

    Example; move your cows to a protected pen when they are about to calve. 

    Keep the calves penned and let the cows out to feed during the day, then 

    gather the cows in the evening so the calves can feed. You will also 

    have to supplement ally feed the cows.

    I really doubt if this type of protective measure worked in Africa and 

    was unacceptable by the farmers. I’ll bet the African farmers resort to 

    the same old protective measures they have used for the last 100 years.

    *Wolf Interactions:*

    08-21-08, Cruzville. Confirmed un-collared Wolf Depredation: A wolf 

    entered private property and ran a laying hen down at the front door of 

    an enclosed porch with four small children playing inside. The hen 

    squawked and one child opened the door to see the wolf carrying the hen 

    off. The children were screaming for their mother. The mother ran 

    outside with a gun and fired it three time at the ground to scare the 

    wolf to drop the squalling hen. The wolf running up the hill behind the 

    house dropped the hen and it was recovered as it was dying. The necropsy 

    confirmed canine spreads of 45.99mm and 44.37mm. Three tracks were cast 

    also. Wildlife Services responded to this investigation, US Fish and 

    Wildlife Service did not respond because a laying hen is not livestock, 

    so wolves killing chickens don’t count.

    See photo #1 front porch, chicken feathers pulled out by wolf capturing 

    chicken.

                    #2 chicken, canine spread measurement.

    This non-ranching family lives next to State Road 12 and has had 

    numerous wolf incidents with pet dogs attacked, horses injured. The 

    mother and children live in constant fear and the psychological trauma 

    continues.

    08-21-08, near Snow Lake. Dead Steer, cause of death un-known. Dead 

    approximately one week. Due to advanced decomposition and insect 

    infestation the cause of death could not be determined. Other livestock 

    depredation by wolves confirmed near the area.

    08-22-08, near Snow Lake. Wolf Sighting. A wolf was seen running out of 

    a heard of cattle.

    09-01-08, Cruzville. Wolf Sighting. A child got on the school bus in 

    Cruzville, walked to the back of the bus and sat down. She looked out 

    the window and saw a wolf in the field. The child stated it was the same 

    wolf who got her chicken in front of her house, he was staring at the bus.

    09-08-08, Slaughter Mesa. Dead Calf, Confirmed Wolf Depredation.Ground 

    telemetry confirmed AF903 was present on a nearby mountain for several 

    hours while I was there. Aerial Telemetry located AM1114 a few miles 

    away. Canine spreads were documented at; 42.70mm, 41.75mm, 40.45mm, 

    41.45mm, 38.35mm. Confirmed depredation San Mateo pack.

    See photo #3 calf remains.

    09-08-08, Slaughter Mesa, Dead Calf, Confirmed Wolf Depredation. Aerial 

    telemetry located AM1114 nearby. Canine spreads were documented at; 

    40.89mm, 40.58mm, 41.98mm, 40.33mm, 40.72mm. Confirmed Depredation AM1114

    See photo #4 deep hemorrhage from wolf bites.

    We will have to wait and see if strikes will be assigned to both wolves 

    AF903 and AM1114 or will the alpha male get the blame? This may take 

    several weeks. It appears the females are saved at all cost because they 

    produce pups. In the meantime these wolves will kill several more calves 

    before the decision is made to remove these stock killers. Why will it 

    take two weeks for the agencies to act? The N.M.Game Department 

    Director, Mr. Thompson and Mr.Wunder may elect to oppose any removal of 

    these wolves. Why is there an averaging system now? If you have 

    documented canine spreads of 44.00mm, 44.00mm, 42.00mm, 42.00mm and one 

    at 38.00mm, the average eliminates the 30.00mm spread and the wolf that 

    made them. This allows a wolf to be held un-accountable for its actions. 

    The constant change behind closed doors to benefit the wolf at the 

    expense of the rancher has been ongoing since the wolf program was 

    started and there is no accountability. No wonder the people who live in 

    the wolf recovery area feel the way they do.

    Thank you

    Jess Carey, CWII