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Re: [RC] Re; Wolves Killing - Ed & Wendy HauserI 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 ============================================================ Prudence and focus will carry you a long way on a horse. ~ Frank Solano ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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