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Re: [RC] Re; Wolves Killing - Ed & Wendy Hauser

I became intrigued about the historic habitat of the wolf.  I did a quick
search and found an interesting article.  It has been accepted (14 January
2004) for publication in the Elsiver published journal: Biological
Conservation, the article is "Dynamics of early wolf and cougar eradication
efforts in Montana: implications for conservation, by Shawn J. Riley,
Genevieve M. Nesslage, Brian A. Maurer.

I can email a pdf copy to anyone who wants to read the article.  The
researchers looked at the wolf and cougar bounties paid in MT from 1902 to
1930.  These were paid in each county and the records exist.  They divided
the state into three regions.  The Montaine (NW MT ), The intermountain (SW
MT and the Rocky Mountain front), and the rest of the state which is
predominately prairie.

In 1902 the graph shows (the numbers are approximate since only a graph is
shown) 4000 bounties on the prairie, 500 in the intermountain, and none or a
very small number in the Montane.  The numbers decrease generally with time,
but interestingly in the 1910-1913 area a small peak is seen with 1200
prairie, 400 intermountain, and 400 montane.

The cougar numbers are reversed, with more cougars found in the montane,
fewer in the intermountain, and almost none in the prairie.

So apparently the wolf liked to live on the plains and eat buffalo and elk,
but some were found in the intermountain and mountain regions before they
were completely wiped out.

Unfortunately, the only areas that are wild enough now to support a wolf
pack are the mountains and parts of the intermountain.  Even there, we
probably will have lots of conflict with people.  In another article I was
reminded that wolves have their pups in the spring.  They have them in a den
and must stay close until the pups can travel with the pack.  The deep
mountains are full of snow at that time.  That means that they are going to
want to den in the valleys where the wintering elk, cows, sheep, and people
are.  Bummer!  A recipe for conflict with people.

Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser
2994 Mittower Road
Victor, MT 59875

ranch@xxxxxxxxxxx
406.642.6490

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Replies
[RC] Re; Wolves Killing, Jim & Drin Becker
Re: [RC] Re; Wolves Killing, Ed & Wendy Hauser
Re: [RC] Re; Wolves Killing, heidi
Re: [RC] Re; Wolves Killing, Ed & Wendy Hauser