Friday, January 11th, as many as 15 gray wolves were rounded up to be brought to Colorado from Canada. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports in a social media post that it will increase the chance of pairing up and breeding along with forming wolf packs. The CPW explained that having more wolves will help them manage them better.
At a meeting earlier this week the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted 10-to-one to deny a citizen petition to delay this restoration of the gray wolf in Colorado.
Fowler resident Trish Leone owns livestock, cattle, sheep, horses and guardian dogs. She isn't a fan of the wolf introduction.
"As much as I love and appreciate the beauty of wild creatures, I fear the rapid introduction of more non native wolves into Colorado is unfair to the wolves, the livestock, horses and dogs and the people of Colorado. Even the updated CPW 'plan' is vague leaving uncertainty regarding a clear process for multiple offense packs. The petition to delay the introduction of more wolves until CPW range riders were hired, trained and available was defeated yesterday. Calving has begun in western Colorado and the ranch families that I heard testify are rightfully worried."
Hunters who live in Colorado and those who comes here for tourism to hunt Colorado are also concerned about what having wolves in Colorado means Scott Sager is one of those hunters.
" I have lived in south central Alaska for over 2 decades, I’m a full time guide and avid outdoorsman. In Alaska, the wolves need to be managed to keep populations in check. The vast wilderness and concentrated populations of people allow for wolves to have a natural range. Wolves need to be managed like any other game species but when you introduce or even reintroduce them into even rural Colorado, you are going to have problems.
While wolves can help regulate deer and elk populations, their introduction may disrupt existing ecosystems. Changes in predator-prey dynamics can have unforeseen consequences on other species and vegetation. Introducing such an efficient hunter and killer into the mountains of Colorado will take money from the state and tags out of outdoorsman’s pockets."
This week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife discussed how to manage the new wolves along with the existing ones that were released on the Western Slope. Some of the work the CPW stated they will be doing to minimize the conflict includes
Implementing a range rider program
Defining chronic depredation
The development of a depredation response operations team
Effective non-lethal tools
A site assessment program
A carcass removal program
Sager finished to say there should be real ecological benefits to reintroducing wolves.
"... these cons need to be carefully considered and managed to ensure a balanced approach to wildlife conservation. I have purchased 4 non resident hunting licenses in Colorado over the years and I am baffled why you would turn such a killer of live stock and game into the wild there. I personally am very disappointed you didn’t even take the time to hear from the public."
Animal owner and Otero County resident Carrie Zumwalt has strong opinions about what it will mean for the state.
"It’s a stupid idea to release any wolf!!! They are gone for a reason. These poor ranchers deserve to be paid back for the deaths the wolves have caused. One wolf could wipe out my little farm and to wait months and possibly years to be compensated is ridiculous. The money that has been spent to bring the wolves in is ridiculous. Wolves travel and they will spread out. Wolves that have been brought into New Mexico have already came to Colorado. They have been caught on camera in Stonewall Colorado. I would fully support any rancher that has dispatched one. Coyotes are bad enough but these wolves don’t stop for anything except a bullet, lead, or poison. I hate that the state has done this."
Southern Colorado resident Dave Snellstrom is a hunter who is also very concerned with the introduction of wolves. He furthered his point to explain it could be a way to hurt the livestock industry.
"If "balance" restoring a "keystone" species is truly the goal why don't we release these wolves in Estes NP ? There are plenty of elk, no hunting, no livestock, a perfect fit but I fear this environmental "balance" they keep referring to is a ploy to eliminate huntable numbers of game and an attempt to decimate the Livestock industry which Colorado Governor Jared Polis has exhibited disdain for since day one."
Shad Sullivan's family has operated a ranch in Southeast Colorado for multiple generations. He agreed strongly with Snellstorm with his viewpoint as a rancher.
“The introduction of wolves into western Colorado has resulted in loss of personal property to the states food producers and created an even larger gap of understanding, not only between urban and rural advocates, but also between the producer and consumer. The continued release of wolves will create more difficulty in bridging that gap and is proof of incremental infiltration into agencies by individual extremists and ENGO’s.” “Also, the talk of wildlife corridors have long been promoted by these extremist organizations, who ultimately are anti private property rights. The Wolf and other predatory animals being introduced are only a tool used by freedom haters to “smoke” farmers and ranchers out in order to gain control of every square inch of land. It’s the slow death by a thousand cuts, and those extremists are very patient in implementing their agenda.”
More on the wolf introduction, to include their movement by tracking their collars, upcoming meetings and information sessions and more can be found on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's website as well as their social media.
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Just look at the result of wolves in Idaho. They have destroyed the elk and deer population. Nothing left for hunting. No more hiking, unless you carry a gun. The cattle ranchers are taking a huge hit. They no longer get compensation for wolf kills because by the time someone comes to investigate they claim the kill is to old to know what killed it.