Read the original article by Don Jenkins at captialpress.com here.
Wolves killed another calf Monday in northeast Washington, according to Diamond M rancher Len McIrvin, who says that over a decade he’s seen more than a dozen methods tried to prevent depredations, and all failed.
The ranch has adopted the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s non-lethal methods of protecting livestock, even though ineffective, McIrvin said. “If you’re going to get any help from them, you better live by their recommendations.”
For another summer, wolves are attacking the ranch’s cattle as they graze in the Colville National Forest, pushing Fish and Wildlife into deciding whether to use lethal control and to what extent.
And for another summer, wolf advocates are criticizing the Diamond M for grazing cattle on allotments that they say is now wolf habitat.
Animal Wellness Action, founded by Wayne Pacelle, former CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, took out a full-page ad in The Seattle Times on Sunday. The ad urged opposition to shooting wolves to stop attacks on the Diamond M’s cattle.
Fish and Wildlife killed one wolf from the OPT pack on July 13 and paused to see whether the attacks continued. Since then, the pack has killed four more calves, according to sources.
The department, which has a policy of providing only weekly updates, has not confirmed the attacks, or indicated whether it will shoot more wolves in the OPT pack.
The pack has four adults and at least four pups. Wolf advocates describe the territory as “ideal wolf habitat.” It’s also where the Diamond M has grazed cattle since shortly after World War II.
Before shooting the wolf earlier this month, Fish and Wildlife said the ranch had taken steps to prevent conflicts.
The ranch delayed putting calves on the summer range until they weighed at least 200 pounds and were presumably less vulnerable. But wolves also take down 1,200-pound cows. “Wolves eat whatever they want,” McIrvin said.
Most recently, according to McIrvin, calves have been attacked near flashing colored lights installed by Fish and Wildlife. “I think those lights are attracting wolves,” he said.
Ribbons are tied to fences to try to keep wolves away. At best, wolves are only temporarily buffaloed, McIrvin said. “Those wolves are smart.”
McIrvin said the ranch has moved cattle 10 miles to get away from wolves. The wolves move, too, he said.
He scoffs at guard llamas, inflatable tubes and cowbells. “It’s just a dinner bell,” he said.
McIrvin said range riders “sound romantic,” but they can’t guard cattle on a rugged range that stretches 30 miles.
Fish and Wildlife shot seven wolves in the Wedge pack in 2012 and that helped, McIrvin said. The department has since adopted an “incremental approach” of shooting a wolf or two and hoping to change pack behavior.
“They learn to fear the helicopter, at best, maybe,” he said.
