Wolf/Livestock Interaction

Ag and hunting groups Intervene in anti trapping lawsuit aimed at faking protection of Mexican wolves..

June 19, 2012
By admin

News Release For Immediate Release / June 18, 2012

For further information, contact:
Caren Cowan, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, 505.247.0584

Industry Groups Intervene in Trapping Lawsuit
To protect the businesses and livelihoods of their memberships, groups representing hunters, fisherman, agriculture, trappers, and rural communities and economies have intervened in a lawsuit filed by the WildEarth Guardians against the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.
The New Mexico Trappers Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc., New Mexico Federal Lands Council, New Mexico Council of Outfitters & Guides, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties for Stable Economic Growth and United Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife, Inc., joined the lawsuit which would prohibit trapping in the southwestern New Mexico, in the Mexican Grey Wolf Recovery Area. The New Mexico Houndsmen as well as the Northern and the Southern New Mexico Chapters of the Safari Club assisted with funding. The Safari Club International also filed an Amicus Brief in support of the state.
“The big difference between our memberships and the WildEarth Guardians is that our members have everything to lose in this situation, and environmentalists have nothing at stake. If residents of southwestern New Mexico lose the ability to trap, they lose their ability to make a living ranching, hunting, trapping or outfitting – not to mention generations of tradition,” said New Mexico Cattle Growers Association President Rex Wilson, Carrizozo. “No environmentalists’ family businesses or lifelong investments are at risk in this situation.”
The WildEarth Guardians’ lawsuit claims that by allowing trapping of viable furbearer populations in the wolf recovery area, the NMDGF is allowing harm to the non-essential, experimental Mexican Grey Wolf, despite the fact that trapping the species is not allowed, Wilson explained. The federal reintroduction program for the Mexican Grey Wolf began in 1994.
“To date, millions of our tax dollars have been spent to reintroduce this predator, which is still struggling in the wild almost 20 years later,” said David Reese, United Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife President, Belen. “The WildEarth Guardians are trying to use trapping as an excuse for the failure of the reintroduction program, which has been a monumental waste of time and resources since the beginning.”
Rural southwestern New Mexico’s economy is based on ranching, hunting, guiding and outfitting, all of which would be threatened if the lawsuit was successful. “Ranchers must have the ability to protect their livestock to stay in business,” said Bebo Lee, New Mexico Federal Lands Council President, Alamogordo. “Dealing with wolves on their operations has been hard enough on these ranchers – it’s too much to ask that they sacrifice even more of their herds to other predators.”
Hunting and trapping have a long history in New Mexico, as a family tradition, as a tool for wildlife management and in many cases, a successful livelihood. Despite the impacts of the wolf reintroduction program to the deer and elk herds in the Gila National Forest, guiding and outfitting is a big business, with a big impact on rural counties.
“The survival of our members’ businesses, and their ability to feed their families, depend on healthy wildlife populations, and that means balanced management which includes predator control,” said Marc Kincaid, New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. President, Hope. “Aside from the potential financial impacts to our members and the small-town businesses they help support, it’s just irresponsible to put wildlife management in the hands of environmentalists and animal rights groups in Santa Fe whose only concerns are filing lawsuits and limiting land use.”
“This lawsuit has the potential to alter science based game management everywhere. The suit is designed to take game management out of the hands of states and move it to the courts. WildEarth now chastises the New Mexico Game Department for using sportsmen’s dollars, not tax dollars, to defend New Mexicans and New Mexico’s wildlife against a frivolous lawsuit. In court documents they seek to deny participation of an international conservation group, the Safari Club International in the litigation process. It seems to be alright for the “guardians” to squander millions of sportsmen’s and taxpayer dollars to advance their spiritual beliefs through court actions but, the very people that have paid the bills for wildlife recovery and management over the last century, can’t play in their “sand box”; how ludicrous is that?” asked Tom McDowell President NMTA, Corrales. “Western states are dealing with the devastating impacts of forests being managed by the courts and anti-consumptive use groups. New Mexico and Arizona saw the largest fires in history in 2011 and we just set two more records in the past few weeks. If WildEarth were to prevail with its current action, New Mexicans can say goodbye to their wildlife too.”

Caren Cowan
Executive Director
New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association
POB 7517
Albuquerque NM 87194
505.247.0584 phone
505.842.1766 fax
nmcga@nmagriculture.org

You can join NMCGA online at www.nmagriculture.org.

Mule Killed by wolves in New Mexico wolf pack out of control.

February 13, 2012
By admin

Mexican wolves in New Mexico have been killing livestock at family homes and ranches again. Over the weekend this young mule was brutally run down and gutted by a pack of wolves. Needless to say this has gone on long enough. This pack needs to be shot or otherwise permanently removed.

2011 Mexican Wolf Program Management Incidents Reports. Catron Co.

January 10, 2012
By admin

2011 complaint/investigation Results:

Wolf-Animal Incidents;

confirmed wolf depredations – cattle=23, horse colt=1,

probable wolf depredations – cattle= 2

injuries wolf confirmed – cattle=5

Wolf Related Incidences=total 31

unknown cattle deaths =13; includes not found in time to investigate,
lost evidence due to advanced decomposition, scavenging by
canines etc.

confirmed bear depredations – cattle=3

shipping sickness- cattle=1

AZ Game and Fish Mexican wolf update.

November 5, 2011
By admin

November 4, 2011

MEXICAN WOLF REINTRODUCTION PROJECT NEWS
Monthly Status Report: October 1-31, 2011

The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF) and Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR) and in New Mexico on the Apache National Forest (ANF) and Gila National Forest (GNF). Non-tribal lands involved in this Project are collectively known as the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA). Additional Project information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf. Past updates may be viewed on either website, or interested parties may sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting http://www.azgfd.gov/signup. This update is a public document and information in it can be used for any purpose. The Reintroduction Project is a multi-agency cooperative effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT). Other entities, including private individuals and nongovernmental organizations, cooperate through the Project’s Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) that meets periodically in Arizona and New Mexico.
To view weekly wolf telemetry flight location information or the 3-month wolf distribution map, please visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf. On the home page, go to the “Wolf Location Information” heading on the right side of the page near the top and scroll to the specific location information you seek.
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653. To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at (800) 352-0700.
Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks their history. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 24 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate wolves younger than 24 months or pups. The capital letter “A” preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves.
Definitions: A “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established territory. In the event that one of the two alpha (dominant) wolves dies, the remaining alpha wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack status. The packs referenced in this update contain at least one wolf with a radio telemetry collar attached to it. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that wolves without radio telemetry collars may also form packs. If the IFT confirms that wolves are associating with each other and are resident within the same home range, they will be referenced as a pack.
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
At the end of October 2011, the collared population consisted of 37 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among eleven packs and four single wolves. Some other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with radio-collared wolves, and others are separate from known packs.
Seasonal note: In October, the IFT continued fall trapping efforts to document pack status and pup recruitment in several packs in the BRWRA. The IFT captured three new pups-of-the-year, two new yearlings and one new adult wolf this month, including fp1250 and fp1251 from the Dark Canyon Pack, m1252 and mp1249 from the San Mateo Pack, m1248 from the Hawks Nest Pack, and M1253 on the FAIR. IFT personnel also recaptured fp1247 from the Hawks Nest Pack and AF1056 from the Paradise Pack in October. The IFT will continue efforts to trap and collar wolves from the Willow Springs Pack in November.
IN ARIZONA:
Bluestem Pack (collared AM806, AF1042, mp1240 and mp1242)
Throughout October, the IFT located these wolves in their traditional territory in the central portion of the ASNF.
Hawks Nest Pack (collared M1038, m1248, f1208, mp1244 and fp1247)
In October, these wolves continued to use their traditional territory in the north-central portion of the ASNF. IFT personnel trapped and collared a yearling wolf, m1248, which was associated with this pack this month. Toward the end of the month, this wolf began to disperse from other pack members, and was located alone outside of the traditional Hawks Nest Pack territory in the northern portion of the ASNF. The IFT documented five wolves with this pack at the end of October, consisting of four collared wolves and one uncollared pup.
Rim Pack (collared AM1107, AF858 and F1213)
Throughout October, the IFT located the Rim Pack utilizing its summer range in the central portion of the ASNF.
Paradise Pack (collared AM795, AF1056, mp1243 and mp1245)
In October, these wolves utilized the traditional summer range of their territory in the northern portion of the ASNF. IFT personnel were able to trap and recollar AF1056 this month.
ON THE FAIR:
M1183 (collared)
During October, the IFT located this wolf on the FAIR.
M1253 (collared)
In October, IFT personnel were able to trap and collar this wolf on the FAIR as part of routine fall trapping efforts.
IN NEW MEXICO:
Dark Canyon (collared AM992, AF923, fp1250 and fp1251)
Throughout October, the IFT located the Dark Canyon Pack within its traditional territory in the west-central portion of the GNF. The IFT trapped and collared two new pups-of-the-year with this pack this month.
Fox Mountain Pack (collared M1158 and F1188)
Throughout October, the IFT documented these wolves together in the northwest portion of the GNF. The IFT has been unable to document the presence of any pups with this pack this month.
Luna Pack (collared AF1115, F1246 and mp1241)
In October, the IFT located the Luna Pack within its traditional territory in the north-central portion of the GNF.
Middle Fork Pack (collared AM871 and AF861)
In October, the IFT located AM871 and AF861 within their traditional territory in the central portion of the GNF.
Morgart’s Pack (collared M1155)
Throughout October, the IFT documented this wolf traveling in the central portion of the GNF.
San Mateo Pack (collared AM1157, AF903, m1252, f1212 and mp1249)
During October, the IFT located these wolves in the traditional San Mateo Pack territory in the north-central portion of the GNF. IFT personnel captured and collared two new wolves, mp1249 and m1252, from this pack this month.
Willow Springs Pack (collared M1185)
Throughout October, the IFT located this wolf in the north-central portion of the GNF. The IFT confirmed the presence of another single wolf traveling with M1185 in October, and these two wolves are now named the Willow Springs Pack.
F1105 (collared)
At the end of October, the IFT located this wolf in the central portion of the GNF. The IFT continued efforts to document the presence of the one remaining hybrid pup which this wolf produced this past spring; however, no evidence of the pup has been found.
f1211 (collared)
During October, the IFT documented this wolf traveling through the north-central portion of the GNF.
MORTALITIES
No wolf mortalities were documented this month.

INCIDENTS
During October, IFT personnel investigated three livestock depredation incidents in the BRWRA. None of the incidents involved Mexican wolves.
On October 9, WS personnel investigated at least eleven dead yearlings in the vicinity of Canyon del Buey on the GNF. The cause of death was determined to be complications associated with transportation of the cattle to the grazing allotment. The carcasses were covered with lime to reduce their palatability to scavengers in the area.
On October 18, WS personnel investigated a dead cow near Sand Flat on the GNF. The cause of death was determined to be organ failure.
On October 24, WS personnel investigated a dead cow on the FAIR. The cause of death was undetermined, but not attributable to predation.
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
No significant activity occurred this month.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
On October 8, Jeff Dolphin presented a Project overview to 40 wildlife management students and associated class instructors from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University at the Sipe Wildlife Area.
On October 8, Melissa Kreutzian presented a Project overview to 40 individuals at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
On October 22, Melissa Kreutzian and staff from the USFWS Regional Office presented a Project overview and Mexican wolf information at the Rio Grande Zoo during Wolf Awareness Week.
PROJECT PERSONNEL
Janess Vartanian, rejoined the Project as a temporary FWS technician this month. Janess worked for several years previously on the Project as a biologist for the AGFD, and we are fortunate to have her back.
After almost 30 years of involvement in efforts to reintroduce Mexican wolves back into the southwestern United States, Terry Johnson, endangered species coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is calling it a career. Terry has been instrumental in almost all aspects of reintroduction activities, and his dedication to the involvement of all stakeholders in the process of Mexican wolf reintroduction and management has been a hallmark of his time with the Project. Terry will remain involved in policy issues for AGFD on a part-time basis. Thank you, Terry, for all of your efforts and dedication to the return of Mexican wolves to the Southwestern landscape. Your guidance and insight will be sorely missed!
REWARDS OFFERED
The USFWS is offering a reward of up to $10,000; the AGFD Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000; and the NMDGF is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican wolves. A variety of non-governmental organizations and private individuals have pledged an additional $46,000 for a total reward amount of up to $58,000, depending on the information provided.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Mesa, Arizona, at (480) 967-7900, in Alpine, Arizona, at (928) 339-4232, or in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 346-7828; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or not more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

Interesting wolf news in the New Mexico area

July 30, 2011
By admin

February

On February 7, WS personnel investigated a dead calf and severely injured cow just outside of the BRWRA near Canovas Creek in New Mexico, close to the Arizona border. The owner euthanized the cow shortly after both animals were discovered. The incident was confirmed as a wolf depredation, and the wolf responsible for the incident was F1105.

On February 8, WS personnel investigated five steers that had been attacked on private land outside of the BRWRA, north of Quemado, New Mexico. One of the steers died as a result of the attack, while the other four sustained severe injuries. WS personnel confirmed this incident as a wolf depredation, and the wolf or wolves responsible were determined to be uncollared animals. The IFT initiated trapping efforts in the area; however, no wolves were captured.

( interestingly enough, FWS never seem to be able to capture or confirm much less investigate uncollared wolves.  Especially based on a ranchers sighting.  This has been an ongoing problem for about 3 years.)

April

F1105 (collared) In April, the IFT documented this wolf traveling alone through the northern portions of the GNF. Last month, the IFT documented this wolf repeatedly traveling near and onto a private elk farm in the northern portions of the GNF, potentially interacting with domestic dogs in the vicinity. The IFT initiated trapping efforts to capture this wolf and perform an inspection regarding its breeding status. F1105 localized in the last part of April in the northern portion of the GNF and efforts to capture the wolf are still ongoing.

May

F1105 (collared) In April, the IFT documented this wolf traveling alone through the northern portions of the GNF. Last month, the IFT documented this wolf repeatedly traveling near and onto a private elk farm in the northern portions of the GNF, potentially interacting with domestic dogs in the vicinity. The IFT initiated trapping efforts to capture this wolf and perform an inspection regarding its breeding status. F1105 localized in the last part of April in the northern portion of the GNF and efforts to capture the wolf are still ongoing.

June/July

On May 6, the IFT responded to a report of an injured or sick wolf observed outside of Reserve, New Mexico. They captured an uncollared wolf, and a FWS veterinarian examined it in the field. The wolf died during transport to a veterinary facility in Arizona. An investigation into the cause of death is pending. INCIDENTS

Morgart’s Pack (collared M1155) Throughout June, the IFT documented this wolf traveling through the central portions of the GNF. The IFT obtained information this month that confirms that M1155 is now traveling with another wolf.

F1105 (collared) In June, the IFT documented this wolf traveling alone through the northern portions of the GNF. Earlier this spring, the IFT implemented capture operations to assist in determining the breeding status of this wolf. During trapping efforts in May, the IFT located a den with five pups. IFT personnel inspected the pups at the den site and collected blood samples for analysis to determine their genetic makeup. Tests indicated the pups were the result of the female breeding with a domestic dog. IFT personnel returned to the den, removed the four pups present, and humanely euthanized them. The IFT has confirmed that this wolf is traveling with a pup-sized canid in June, and efforts to capture this wolf have continued this month.

PROJECT PERSONNEL

The IFT is disappointed to announce that Ellen Heilhecker and Mischa Larisch from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will no longer be working on the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project. Ellen has been with the Project since 2007, and has worked diligently during that time to further Mexican wolf recovery goals in New Mexico. Mischa has been with the Project for just over a year, and has provided a solid field presence working proactively with livestock producers to reduce conflicts on the ground. Many thanks to both of you for your efforts. You will be missed!

Second Imnaha Wolf Killed

May 26, 2011
By admin

http://www.aginfo.net/index.cfm/event/report/id/

Open-Range-19331 by Susan Allen, click here for bio Program:

Open Range Date: May 26, 11

My son and husband were surprised to see two uncollared wolves while hunting in the Imnaha area this Saturday especially after learning that a second wolf had been killed by wildlife officials earlier that week. Were these part of the same pack? I’m Susan Allen stay tuned for Open Range. After the death of two more calves this month and following the their state wolf management plan The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has killed a second wolf as a result of a livestock attacks and has issued permits for eight ranchers to kill any wolves caught in the act of maiming livestock. Last week biologists killed another young wolf bringing the total to two euthanized from a pack in Eastern Oregon that officials believe are responsible for at least 10 livestock deaths since 2010, (two this month alone. ) The decision to cull the Imnaha pack was implemented after attempts to keep wolves away from baby calves failed. Ranchers in the Joseph area have been working closely state Fish and Wildlife officials and have implemented a variety of non-lethal scare tactics to protect their herds. They have installed electric fences, hired range riders and diligently removed bone piles that attract wolves. Yet the same ranch that reported the death of cattle in April lost another calf earlier this month. Despite a lawsuit from four conservation groups Oregon biologists went ahead with their plans to reduce the pack of fourteen wolves hoping a smaller number would mean less competition for food without harming a breeding pair. Our ultimate goal is wolf conservation, but we need to respond when chronic livestock losses occur,” Craig Ely, the department’s northeastern regional manager, said in a written statement. “Wolves need to rely on their natural prey, not livestock.” Watching the wolves move through the pines my son commented on what easy prey baby calves are when you compare the mothering instincts of a domestic cow with a wild elk, both abundant in the area they spotted and heard wolves.

Wolves killing fewer cattle in Wyoming than in Montana, Idaho Wolves killing fewer cattle in Wyoming than in Montana, Idaho

May 24, 2011
By admin

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_57f6bf14-1fd9-5242-9905-d1ad603b27ec.html

By TOM LUTEY Of The Gazette Staff The Billings Gazette | Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011 12:00 am | (19) Comments

As Wyoming fights to join Montana and Idaho in getting its gray wolves removed from the endangered species list, a new report indicates that its cattle have fared better with the predator. The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week reported that the number of cattle killed in Wyoming by wolves was actually decreasing while kills in neighboring Montana and Idaho had risen sharply.

Wolf-killed cattle have angered ranchers in all three states.  In 2010, wolves killed 570 adult cows and 1990 calves in Idaho, according to the USDA Cattle Death Loss report issued last week. Wolves in Montana killed 440 adult cows and 852 calves. Wyoming fared better with 74 adult cows killed and 511 calves.

Five years earlier, Montana and Idaho’s losses were in line with Wyoming’s, but as wolf populations in those states grew, so did the wolf toll on cattle. Wyoming saw a slight decline.

Fewer kills shouldn’t matter, said Jim Magagna of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. “I don’t think it weakens the argument for delisting. To me, it’s a recovered species and the Endangered Species Act says that recovered populations should be delisted,” Magagna said. “The strongest argument for delisting in Wyoming, in my view, is the impact on wildlife.”

Outfitters have complained that elk populations around Yellowstone National Park have been dramatically thinned by wolves. However, wolf advocates say attention to livestock kills in all three states is misguided. Weather, infection and other causes were the biggest killers of cattle in all three states, with wolves accounting for a very small percentage of the deaths.

Nationwide, the carnivore predators of all species, including dogs, accounted for less than 1 percent of the cattle kills.

“Wolves are really way down the list as an insignificant factor killing livestock,” said Michael Robinson, of the Center for Biological Diversity. Robinson argues that not only are wolves a small source of cattle kills, but they’re also a source for which ranchers are fully compensated. Ranchers are paid for cattle killed by wolves, even when cattle have been put out to pasture on public land where wolves are known to exist.

Payments for wolf-killed cattle don’t begin to cover the losses ranchers face, said Jay Bodner, the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s director of natural resources. Cattle under stress of wolf attacks lose weight and become more vulnerable to stress-related illness, Bodner said. Also, the costs of moving livestock to safer pastures aren’t cheap and aren’t reimbursed. Bodner said wolves have killed more cattle in Montana and Idaho because in those states there are more cattle occupying areas where wolves are located.

Wolf populations in Montana and Idaho could decline this year as those states begin managing wolves no longer listed as endangered. Montana and Idaho succeeded in getting wolves delisted last month after Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, inserted the wolf delisting language into the 2011 appropriations bill. It was a bill Congress had to pass in order to avoid a government shutdown. The inserted language didn’t include Wyoming, which now seeks its own congressional fix. Once hunted to extinction in the West, wolves were reintroduced to the region in the 1990s. An estimated 1,200 wolves now live in Montana and Idaho. Wyoming’s population is believed to be 343, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

Both Montana and Idaho plan wolf hunts this year. Montana would like hunters to kill 220 gray wolves. Idaho could set its quota by August. Meantime, Idaho has already sanctioned two wolf kills to curb wildlife and pet deaths associated with wolves.

Sheriff’s deputies around the mountain community of Elk City, have been authorized to kill wolves under disaster emergency rules.

Wolves weren’t the only predator cause listed in the USDA report issued last week. Coyotes were credited for roughly 5 percent of Montana’s adult cattle lost to predators. Coyotes accounted for nearly 47 percent of the state’s calves killed by predators. John Steuber, director of U.S. Wildlife Services for Montana said coyotes have benefited by living in areas occupied by gray wolves on the endangered species list. That’s because poisoned bait and snares cannot be used against coyotes wherever endangered species, like wolves or grizzly bears, might be killed by mistake. When ranchers want to know which predator killed their livestock, they call Steuber’s Billings office. His staff will investigate predator damage scenes to determine the culprit.

The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife fingered black bears for 245 destroyed bee colonies last year. Ravens for pecking the eyes out of 19 kid goats. Grizzly bears for killing 10 cows, six calves, 24 sheep and a llama. Wolves were the suspect in the deaths of 61 cows, 378 calves, three guard dogs and two herd dogs investigated by U.S. Wildlife, Steuber said. But coyotes were a force. “Coyotes killed five adult cattle, 449 calves, 228 adult sheep, 3004 lambs, 35 goats and 18 chickens,” he said. But Mother Nature was unsurpassed: 22,000 cattle and 52,800 calves in Montana alone.

Contact Tom Lutey at

Catron County Commission Demands Wolf Incident Investigation

April 11, 2011
By admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESERVE, NM. “The wolf issue is one of the biggest problems the county has faced,” said Catron County Commission Chairman Hugh B. McKeen to Tod Stevenson, Director of New Mexico Department of Game & Fish at a regularly scheduled public meeting on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. With Mr. Stevenson were RJ Kirkpatrick, Assistant Director NM Game & Fish; Jim McClintic, Chairman New Mexico State Game Commission; and Dick Salopek, New Mexico State Game Commission. An audience of nearly 100 people attended the meeting.

In late January a formal complaint was filed by the county with NM Governor Martinez regarding a wolf depredation investigation that occurred on January 18, 2011. Catron County contends that NM Game & Fish wolf biologists Ellen Heilhecke and Mischa Larisch allegedly sought to influence or change the official investigation findings of Sterling Simpson and Armando Orona of US Wildlife Services during an on-site investigation as to the cause of death of a cow.

“Influencing or attempting to influence the findings of another agency’s official investigation brings up a lot of problems,” said Catron County’s Wolf Incident Investigator, Jess Carey. “The credibility of the game department wolf biologist is now lost.” Simpson and Orona did confirm that the cow was killed by wolves, with Carey concurring.

“Other findings of confirmed wolf kill have been changed to probable in the past,” Carey said. “How can you change documented evidence?”

Stevenson confirmed that Larisch did call and relay a message from Heilhecke to the Wildlife Services personnel while the investigation was in progress, but denied that any impropriety occurred.

“My staff said they did not say that Wildlife Services should modify the finding from confirmed to probable,” Stevenson said. “My folks called and said there were feral dogs in the area to take into consideration.”

“There were no feral dogs on this ranch,” Carey said. “Last year, several miles away, a neighbor was letting his house dogs run loose, but that problem was resolved. Mr. Simpson concurred: There are no feral dogs out there”.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Catron County Attorney Ron Shortes stated that he agreed with the Commissioners’ and Carey’s call for an independent, third party investigation of the incident.

“I think you have a conflict of interest when you say you have an obligation to facilitate this Mexican wolf recovery program vs. your constitutional obligation to the people of NM to protect wildlife,” Shortes said.

“While an independent investigation is needed, my ultimate feeling is that you have a bunch of good people with the New Mexico Game Commission and NM Game & Fish trying to do their best, but I’m wondering if they’re trying to do too much,” Shortes said. “They’re assisting the recovery program on one hand, trying to protect wildlife on the other – is there any possibility of trust while that’s going on?”

After a show of hands to see how people in the audience felt, the Catron County Commissioners voted unanimously to go ahead with their request of Governor Martinez for a full, independent investigation of the incident. Director Stevenson volunteered to provide a synopsis of the progress of the investigation by April 15, 2011.

“Catron County has taken a no-wolf stand,” McKeen said. I’m requesting that you take a no-wolf stance, too. It’ll do us all good – we’re not only concerned about livestock but wildlife, too.”

Contact:
Bill Aymar, Catron County Manager
PO Box 507
Reserve NM 87830
(575) 533-6423
ccmanager@gilanet.com

# # #

Text: 555 words

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State legislators and National leadership should read this document.

February 25, 2011
By admin

Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Pamplet 2

Wolves are killing small communities, livlihoods, game and domestic animals.  Make no mistake further government protection is damaging to the environment.

Third Annual Cliff NM Cowboy Dinner and Dance Feb 19, 2011

February 14, 2011
By admin

Please mark your calendars for the third annual Cliff NM Cowboy Dinner and Dance February 19
At the Cliff fair barn. Dinner starts at 6 PM the Delk Band at 8 PM.
Proceeds from the party are being used to fund the legal action by Gila Livestock Growers Association, APWE, Otero Co and Catron Co. New Mexico to force FWS to comply with current wolf management rules as they relate to livestock and human protections.

To donate to the legal fund use the paypal button at the top of this website. The lawsuit is estimated to cost our small organizations around 80 thousand dollars. We are in the beginning stages and although we have been holding fundraisers for some time, only our first two were highly successful in terms of financial intake. We are competing against the unlimited resourses of the federal government and the US Justice Department as well as Environmental Extremists who have access to taxpayer money to sue the government to regulate us out of business using the Equal Access to Justice Funds. Please consider assisting us in protecting rural people in their own communities from these constant attacks that undermine the stability of rural lifestyles and business opportunities.

Mexican wolf Petition please sign here.

Northern wolf petition please sign.

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