Wolf Toleration

[Stone_Ice_1]

UM Researchers: Vast majority of Montanans tolerate wolves

Montanans are becoming increasingly tolerant of wolves in general, but wolf hunters and trappers are some of the least tolerant in the state, according to new Montana research.

missoulacurrent.com

Pretty sure I know where most folks on here stand on this but an interesting read to get the general public's outlook. Looks like the data is Montana specific.

 

[SAJ-99]

74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves! That is certainly higher than those tolerant of NR hunters.

 

[Bigjay73]

Wolves aren't invasive, NRs, well....

 

[Ben Long]

I think this is a good example of how the loudest voices on the ends of the political spectrum can distort the entire discussion. Wolves are here. Wolves need to be managed. I like having them around, like I like having lions and bears around. The place is a bit dull without them. But I do get tired of the extremes on the topic.

 

[mtmuley]

74% of Montanans are tolerant or very tolerant of wolves! That is certainly higher than those tolerant of NR hunters.

Bet that number doesn't include many hunters. Although since we have them, I guess it forces "tolerance". mtmuley

 

[BrentD]

Bet that number doesn't include many hunters. Although since we have them, I guess it forces "tolerance". mtmuley

I would wager it does. There is another whole world of hunters you do not even know exists.

 

[mtmuley]

I would wager it does. There is another whole world of hunters you do not even know exists.

Oh yeah. What world? I live in Montana and most of the people I know and interact with are hunters. Anywhere from new kids to old guys like me. No love for wolves. But we have to "tolerate" them. mtmuley

 

[BrentD]

the key phrase is "most of the people I know". What you do not know is what you do not know.

 

[mtmuley]

the key phrase is "most of the people I know". What you do not know is what you do not know.

Thanks Brent. Luckily there are some guys around here with zero tolerance. mtmuley

 

[BrentD]

Thanks Brent. mtmuley

No problem. But seriously, you do not know a random cohort of the hunting population.

 

[mtmuley]

No problem. But seriously, you do not know a random cohort of the hunting population.

I will ask @noharleyyet what that means. mtmuley

 

[SFC B]

The one place this is VERY important IMO.......The UP of Michigan Deer and moose there have a hard enough time without the current unrestricted wolf predation. Conservative estimate of wolf take of deer up there by a VERY pro-wolf Michigan deer biologist was as much as the ENTIRE hunting take. Ouch

 

[seeth07]

If hunters are conservationists, which I like to tell everyone I know I am as a hunter, than we should be able to all easily agree that we are all happy to see Wolves back on the landscape where they belong and therefore we all have a very high "tolerance" of this fact.

Also, I'm pretty sure that we can all agree that we DON'T tolerate the way the politics is forcing their management rather than sound science that likely helped as part of getting them back there.

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

I read that 86% of wolf hunters are intolerant or otherwise dislike wolves. That’s a tough sell on working with the conservation department. If it’s purely disdain for the game then why would the regulators engage with the hunters?

 

[Moserkr]

It took poison, trappers, and wolf hounds decades to eradicate them. Once they are back, they are no different than a coyote. Shoot as many as you like, enough will always remain. Whats done is done, let ranchers shoot ones that eat cattle. The rest will learn not to. Let hunters control their population like we should be able to with any other predator. Thats tolerance, Im not advocating poison and wolf hounds again.

We cant just build our cities and communities all over once wild lands and think we should not manage the marginal lands we left behind for the displaced animals. Nothing will ever be as it once was so it's up to us to help nature find its balance now.

 

[BrentD]

It took poison, trappers, and wolf hounds decades to eradicate them. Once they are back, they are no different than a coyote. Shoot as many as you like, enough will always remain. Whats done is done, let ranchers shoot ones that eat cattle. The rest will learn not to. Let hunters control their population like we should be able to with any other predator. Thats tolerance, Im not advocating poison and wolf hounds again.

We cant just build our cities and communities all over once wild lands and think we should not manage the marginal lands we left behind for the displaced animals. Nothing will ever be as it once was so it's up to us to help nature find its balance now.

Well, put me down for being a little more for nature and a little less for ranching for targets

 

[Moserkr]

Well, put me down for being a little more for nature and a little less for ranching for targets

Ranchers are just a small part of the equation. Id rather not watch wildlife agencies spend a million dollars in 3 months to haze wolves then kill them anyway, when a rancher can do it in 5 minutes for a few bucks. Literally happened here in CA with the cdfw, and they even shot one that wasn't eating cows lol. We can have wolves and eat beef too... that million dollars was better spent on conserving land because habitat destruction destroys all wildlife.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

We can have wolves and eat beef too...

I have to disagree with you on that one. I can’t afford to eat beef anymore!

 

[BrentD]

Ranchers are just a small part of the equation. Id rather not watch wildlife agencies spend a million dollars in 3 months to haze wolves then kill them anyway, when a rancher can do it in 5 minutes for a few bucks. Literally happened here in CA with the cdfw, and they even shot one that wasn't eating cows lol. We can have wolves and eat beef too... that million dollars was better spent on conserving land because habitat destruction destroys all wildlife.

I'm not sure why you quoted me.I was not talking about cattle ranchers.

But that said, I disagree with your proposal.