Deer Population / Numbers / Wolves and the DNR
Thought I would pass this release along to see what you thought about it. I know we have been discussing deer numbers on here for a while, but I thought this was a good read. Let me know your thoughts.
Sportsmen Taking Charge of Predator Problems
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2009
Wolves Impact Deer Populations In Upper Midwest
By Toby Bridges
With the close of the 2009 firearms deer season, Wisconsin deer
hunters took home nearly 30-percent less venison for the freezer. They
experienced the worst deer season in that state in 27 years. And the
hardest hit were the northernmost counties, which just also happen to
be the heart of the state's wolf range.
In Florence County, which borders the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the
white-tail deer harvest was down a whopping 62-percent...in nearby
Oneida County the hunter take was down 50-percent...and in Villas
County to the west hunters took 59-percent fewer deer than they did
during the 2008 season. All across Wisconsin's northern tier of
counties, the harvest was significantly down 40- to 60-percent from
last year. And that's mostly due to deer populations that have
plummeted during the past several years.
This region is now home to a growing number of gray wolves. According
to the Wisconsin DNR, the population is at about 625 to 650 wolves.
However, the hundreds of thousands of sportsmen who hit these woods
every fall feel there are more - many more. And, that is very likely.
It seems that today's wildlife managers do not have the savvy to get a
very accurate count.
A great example can be seen far to the west, in Montana. Here,
wildlife biologists have been stuck at around 500 wolves as their
"official count" for several years now - completely disregarding the
fact that wolf populations, left unchecked, will typically increase
25- to 30-percent annually. Dr. David L. Mech, arguably the world's
leading wolf authority, was called on as an expert witness for the
2008 hearings to remove the gray wolf of the northern Rocky Mountain
states from protection of the Endangered Species Act. The dynamics of
wolf population growth he presented during his declaration clearly
show that the wolf population in Montana is more likely 1,000 to
1,200. And hunters tend to agree. In western Montana's wolf range,
which runs from the Canadian border south to Wyoming, there has been a
near "0" calf elk survival for several years now, due to wolf
depredation, and elk numbers are dropping like a rock. In one region,
the 2009 elk harvest was down 45%, whitetail deer harvest down 50%,
and the mule deer harvest down 45% from the average past five year
harvest. Those hunters who did see elk reported seeing no calves
whatsoever.
The same thing is now happening to the spring whitetail fawn crop in
northern Wisconsin, as well as next door in northern Minnesota and the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
One Wisconsin study has shown that 55% of a wolf's diet in this state
is made up of white-tailed deer, and another DNR report claims that
each wolf consumes an average of 20 deer per year. That would mean the
wolves of northern Wisconsin are taking down between 12,500 and 13,000
deer annually. And for a state that claims to have around 1.5 million
deer at the start of fall, that seems very tolerable. If the same
"deer kill per wolf" holds true next door in Minnesota, that means
hunters there are losing 60,000 whitetails annually to the state's
claim of having 3,000 wolves - which the MN DNR likes to tout as a
conservation success story.
What these figures seem to hide is the residual impact wolves are
having on the deer population of northern Wisconsin, and likewise in
northern Minnesota and Michigan. "Out West", where more is now being
done to manage an out-of-control wolf population, it has become very
evident that the constant pushing of elk and deer by wolves is
creating enough stress to cause cow elk and doe deer to abort their
young. In Yellowstone National Park, in 2001 there were an estimated
16,000 elk. And thanks to the annual birth of new calves, the average
age of those elk was 4 years. Today, that herd is down to 6,000 - and
the average age is now 8 years. Wolves are the reason for the decline
in numbers, due to both the direct loss of elk to escalated wolf
kills, and the loss of calf recruitment. Yellowstone's elk herd is
quickly getting old, and sportsmen know it's headed for a disastrous
crash. Many feel that within five years, it could be totally lost.
Deer, or elk, that are constantly hunted by wolves don't have the
luxury of fattening up for winter. Consequently, they go into the
toughest part of the year undernourished. And when an extended stretch
of cold and snowy weather sets in, those that have been run thin by
the wolves are more apt to be the first to succumb. Across the snow
belt of the upper Midwest, where 3-feet deep snows are very common in
February and March, the deer are often trapped in "yards" for a month
or longer. For those that are even moderately undernourished at the
beginning of an extended period without sufficient feed, it's a sure
death sentence.
The most troubling impact wolves are making are the documented
occurrences of wolves killing for the mere pleasure of killing. In one
instance alone, a small group of wolves in Montana went on a killing
spree, and in one night killed 130 domestic sheep - without eating
anything. And they are doing the same thing with deer and elk. Despite
the claims of "wildlife experts" that wolves only kill the sick, weak
and injured, there are now many cases that strongly support that
wolves kill as much, if not more, for sport than for food. Many times,
dozens of wolf-killed deer or elk carcasses have been found - without
any evidence of being fed upon. And as wolf numbers grow, so do such
instances.
What astonishes many veteran big game hunters is how state wildlife
agency biologists continue to down play the impact wolves are having
on deer and other big game. Minnesota DNR fur bearer biologist John
Erb has stated, "The data continues to support a conclusion that
wolves in Minnesota have not caused, nor are they likely to cause, a
substantial multi-year decline in deer numbers."
Sportsmen are now crying "Hogwash!" to such "data". Despite Erb's
claim, northern Minnesota has now had back-to-back deer harvests that
have been significantly down. Ironically, although the state's wolf
population has basically tripled over the past 25 or 30 years,
Minnesota's big game biologists just can't put their finger on why
moose numbers are crashing.
There is a fast growing resentment against state wildlife agencies
which now seem to put far too much effort toward covering up for the
wolf. Likewise, most hunters want wolves in the northern Midwestern
states removed from federal protection, and to get much needed
management hunts established. Sportsmen are losing faith in these
departments to wisely manage these apex predators, which are now
making a very negative impact on deer and other big game.
Mark Johnson, of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, observes, "It
is pretty obvious that the public tolerance of increasing and
expanding wolf numbers is nearing its limits in part because of lower
deer numbers, but also due to more wolf sightings and caution caused
by reports of more aggressive wolf behavior."
In regard to a 2009 season harvest that was 30-percent lower than the
2008 season in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, one hunter says, "I live in
the Upper Peninsula and hunt in the lower peninsula and I did shoot a
deer this year. They don't shoot deer in the upper Peninsula anymore
because wolves have ate a majority of them. It is not what the DNR
tells you. They don't want to say that wolves go into the deer yards
in the winter and have a deer killing frenzy."
The manner in which the game departments in Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Michigan are handling the wolf issue has a lot of sportsmen wondering
if these agencies now have a new agenda - to let wolves replace the
human hunter's role in wildlife management. Most hunters are not happy
with how these game departments continue to turn a blind eye to the
devastation wolves are dealing wildlife populations.
Sportsmen Taking Charge of Predator Problems
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2009
Wolves Impact Deer Populations In Upper Midwest
By Toby Bridges
With the close of the 2009 firearms deer season, Wisconsin deer
hunters took home nearly 30-percent less venison for the freezer. They
experienced the worst deer season in that state in 27 years. And the
hardest hit were the northernmost counties, which just also happen to
be the heart of the state's wolf range.
In Florence County, which borders the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the
white-tail deer harvest was down a whopping 62-percent...in nearby
Oneida County the hunter take was down 50-percent...and in Villas
County to the west hunters took 59-percent fewer deer than they did
during the 2008 season. All across Wisconsin's northern tier of
counties, the harvest was significantly down 40- to 60-percent from
last year. And that's mostly due to deer populations that have
plummeted during the past several years.
This region is now home to a growing number of gray wolves. According
to the Wisconsin DNR, the population is at about 625 to 650 wolves.
However, the hundreds of thousands of sportsmen who hit these woods
every fall feel there are more - many more. And, that is very likely.
It seems that today's wildlife managers do not have the savvy to get a
very accurate count.
A great example can be seen far to the west, in Montana. Here,
wildlife biologists have been stuck at around 500 wolves as their
"official count" for several years now - completely disregarding the
fact that wolf populations, left unchecked, will typically increase
25- to 30-percent annually. Dr. David L. Mech, arguably the world's
leading wolf authority, was called on as an expert witness for the
2008 hearings to remove the gray wolf of the northern Rocky Mountain
states from protection of the Endangered Species Act. The dynamics of
wolf population growth he presented during his declaration clearly
show that the wolf population in Montana is more likely 1,000 to
1,200. And hunters tend to agree. In western Montana's wolf range,
which runs from the Canadian border south to Wyoming, there has been a
near "0" calf elk survival for several years now, due to wolf
depredation, and elk numbers are dropping like a rock. In one region,
the 2009 elk harvest was down 45%, whitetail deer harvest down 50%,
and the mule deer harvest down 45% from the average past five year
harvest. Those hunters who did see elk reported seeing no calves
whatsoever.
The same thing is now happening to the spring whitetail fawn crop in
northern Wisconsin, as well as next door in northern Minnesota and the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
One Wisconsin study has shown that 55% of a wolf's diet in this state
is made up of white-tailed deer, and another DNR report claims that
each wolf consumes an average of 20 deer per year. That would mean the
wolves of northern Wisconsin are taking down between 12,500 and 13,000
deer annually. And for a state that claims to have around 1.5 million
deer at the start of fall, that seems very tolerable. If the same
"deer kill per wolf" holds true next door in Minnesota, that means
hunters there are losing 60,000 whitetails annually to the state's
claim of having 3,000 wolves - which the MN DNR likes to tout as a
conservation success story.
What these figures seem to hide is the residual impact wolves are
having on the deer population of northern Wisconsin, and likewise in
northern Minnesota and Michigan. "Out West", where more is now being
done to manage an out-of-control wolf population, it has become very
evident that the constant pushing of elk and deer by wolves is
creating enough stress to cause cow elk and doe deer to abort their
young. In Yellowstone National Park, in 2001 there were an estimated
16,000 elk. And thanks to the annual birth of new calves, the average
age of those elk was 4 years. Today, that herd is down to 6,000 - and
the average age is now 8 years. Wolves are the reason for the decline
in numbers, due to both the direct loss of elk to escalated wolf
kills, and the loss of calf recruitment. Yellowstone's elk herd is
quickly getting old, and sportsmen know it's headed for a disastrous
crash. Many feel that within five years, it could be totally lost.
Deer, or elk, that are constantly hunted by wolves don't have the
luxury of fattening up for winter. Consequently, they go into the
toughest part of the year undernourished. And when an extended stretch
of cold and snowy weather sets in, those that have been run thin by
the wolves are more apt to be the first to succumb. Across the snow
belt of the upper Midwest, where 3-feet deep snows are very common in
February and March, the deer are often trapped in "yards" for a month
or longer. For those that are even moderately undernourished at the
beginning of an extended period without sufficient feed, it's a sure
death sentence.
The most troubling impact wolves are making are the documented
occurrences of wolves killing for the mere pleasure of killing. In one
instance alone, a small group of wolves in Montana went on a killing
spree, and in one night killed 130 domestic sheep - without eating
anything. And they are doing the same thing with deer and elk. Despite
the claims of "wildlife experts" that wolves only kill the sick, weak
and injured, there are now many cases that strongly support that
wolves kill as much, if not more, for sport than for food. Many times,
dozens of wolf-killed deer or elk carcasses have been found - without
any evidence of being fed upon. And as wolf numbers grow, so do such
instances.
What astonishes many veteran big game hunters is how state wildlife
agency biologists continue to down play the impact wolves are having
on deer and other big game. Minnesota DNR fur bearer biologist John
Erb has stated, "The data continues to support a conclusion that
wolves in Minnesota have not caused, nor are they likely to cause, a
substantial multi-year decline in deer numbers."
Sportsmen are now crying "Hogwash!" to such "data". Despite Erb's
claim, northern Minnesota has now had back-to-back deer harvests that
have been significantly down. Ironically, although the state's wolf
population has basically tripled over the past 25 or 30 years,
Minnesota's big game biologists just can't put their finger on why
moose numbers are crashing.
There is a fast growing resentment against state wildlife agencies
which now seem to put far too much effort toward covering up for the
wolf. Likewise, most hunters want wolves in the northern Midwestern
states removed from federal protection, and to get much needed
management hunts established. Sportsmen are losing faith in these
departments to wisely manage these apex predators, which are now
making a very negative impact on deer and other big game.
Mark Johnson, of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, observes, "It
is pretty obvious that the public tolerance of increasing and
expanding wolf numbers is nearing its limits in part because of lower
deer numbers, but also due to more wolf sightings and caution caused
by reports of more aggressive wolf behavior."
In regard to a 2009 season harvest that was 30-percent lower than the
2008 season in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, one hunter says, "I live in
the Upper Peninsula and hunt in the lower peninsula and I did shoot a
deer this year. They don't shoot deer in the upper Peninsula anymore
because wolves have ate a majority of them. It is not what the DNR
tells you. They don't want to say that wolves go into the deer yards
in the winter and have a deer killing frenzy."
The manner in which the game departments in Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Michigan are handling the wolf issue has a lot of sportsmen wondering
if these agencies now have a new agenda - to let wolves replace the
human hunter's role in wildlife management. Most hunters are not happy
with how these game departments continue to turn a blind eye to the
devastation wolves are dealing wildlife populations.
Tags: deer, dnr, herd, population, wolves
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dustin T Cummings on -
What gets me is the game departments that come up with all these number figures are never right. The sportsmen and women know the true numbers of the out of control wolf numbers. I will not ever accept that the wisconsin game department is truely listening to the outdoorsman in wisconsin. Don't these people understand that Wisconsin and the neighboring states deer populations are why they have jobs. No deer,no hunters equalls no game department jobs. The amount of money deer hunters bring into these states is off the charts and as long as the game department gets there cut why would they help out the everyday hunter. The wolf population is going to have to be controlled, we shouldn't have to beg to save our deer popullation. In northern wisconsin were you mix big woods with farm feilds it turns into a big bait pile for wolves. Just in northern wisconsin alone our deer numbers are absolutelly terrible. How long before something is done. If the wolf numbers are at around 600 plus,that is already 250 over there goal years back already. They can't control the number and now the game departments are destroying our deer heard,and these states are fed up with it.I guess it is easier to change numbers just sitting in your desk with a pen. Maybe step up and start listening to the people of these great states and help them control this sickening wolf problem.
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Permalink Reply by Dustin T Cummings on
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I would also encourage people to look at the clam lake elk herd numbers as of september 2009 the calf mortality rate was at 60% that number to me is totally unexceptable ,with the exception of a car kill and an unknown death,the number one reason for elk dying is WOLVES!!!!! Now the wisconsin game department is practically feeding the wolves. There should be a ban on baitng wolves with elk and deer.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Noskoviak on -
Soryy to tell you Erin, But that is not true that Wolves only take out the old, sick and wounded. They take out whatever they can and often times leave the animal uneaten or partially eaten and left to suffer a brutal death. The deer are like toys that they play with and harrass. A few Wolves are ok, but when the population is not controlled it poses a problem. There have been some Wolves catching the mange up here...I guess Mother nature knows when their are too many also.
Erin Clements said:Don't wolves help the deer population? The wolves are killing mainly the youngest, oldest, and the sickest...They are what keep our deer herds healthy. But all you rednecks care about is killing your deer. Could you imagine Wisconsin without wolves. I'd probably cry. Wolves are what makes Wisonsin.. Wisconsin. Many people never even get the chance to see a wolf in their lifetime. We humans are the only ones that can help these poor creatures. All you people want to do is start a war between us, and the wolves. I don't know if any of you own dogs, but I have 2. I would NEVER be able to life my gun up to my dog, nor my dog's cousin. Wolves. Once Protected, Now Hunted.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Noskoviak on
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Coyotes go after primarily small game and the occasional fawn, Wolves Primarily feed on Big game and when its readily available will only target big game. There used to be a lot more Coyotes up here until the Wolves came in and the Coyotes didnt affect the Deer population negatively for that reason. And just so you know, The reason in the Northeast U.S. and Southeastern Canada Coyotes are responsible for a lot of Deer Mortality.. is they are and have been proven to be Wolf/Coyote hybrids and are much larger than our Midwestern and Western Coyote. Do some research on the Wolf/Coyote hybrids in the Northeast. Pennsylvania Outdoor news also ran a story. Dont beleive in research done in a different part of North America. If you would like to learn more about Wolves I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Joey Brunner said:I thought this was an interesting article I found online. It's from 2005 but touches on some interesting ideas. I'm still reading up on this and am looking for more information on the other side of the argument.
Wolves Benefit Deer herds
by Joseph S. Butera
Predators play a critical role in the well being of our global environment. in fact, life on earth would cease to exist without them. We have learned much about predatory patterns since the wolf has been restored to Yellowstone National Park and the midwestern states including Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Our knowledge of these majestic and fascinating animals has enriched our understanding of the dynamic relationship between wolves, other predators and the influence they have on their prey species.
Scientific data show that wolves have far less negative impact on the deer population than do coyotes, which are common in the Adirondacks. In fact, when wolves are present, coyote populations decrease. On average 10 wolves will displace 100 coyotes in a given 100 square mile radius. The average weight of a coyote in the adirondacks is 40 pounds. The average wolf’s weight in Southeastern Canada is 90 pounds. If we calculate the weight of the animals against the number of animals in a given area we will come up with the weight of biomass needed to sustain the health of either species in the region. The biomass is the number of pounds of meat needed to sustain a healthy group of animals for a given year. the meat removed from the ecosystem is hypothesized to be deer, beaver, rabbit, rodents and other prey. The chart below represents the effects on the biomass when 10 wolves displace 100 coyotes in any given area:
Number of Animals x Average Weight Per Animals = Required Biomass
100 Coyotes x 40 lbs = 4000 lbs
10 Wolves x 90 lbs = 900 lbs
These calculations show that coyotes consume far more prey in a given area than wolves. This is the current data being formulated by researchers in the field where wolves have either been reintroduced (Yellowstone National Park and Idaho), or where their numbers have increased naturally (Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan). In each of these areas, the wolf’s return was followed by a dramatic shift in the ecosystem’s biomass and the observable changes in the flora and fauna.
Coyotes themselves are not the villains in this picture. When coyotes become overpopulated in an area the ecosystem becomes imbalanced. The best way to correct that imbalance is to READ ON...
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Permalink Reply by Mike Noskoviak on
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Was it Kieth Warnke that was fired from Minnesota and Wyoming, Just wondering if thats who you are referring to.
rich valentine said:I just hope that SOMEONE from the DNR gets wind of what is going on. Just think of this, the biologest we have was FIRED from MIN. after ONE YEAR, and WYOMING after ONE YEAR. What does that tell you. Im glad to see people as fired up about this as I am, and the rest of my family and friends are. I want to thank everyone for the input,KEEP IT COMEING.
Rich
Jake Hinrichs said:You all need to remember the DNR Have been telling us for the past 5 years that our deer numbers were out of control. Thus all the extra seasons. They said shoot, so we shot. We shot so we didnt have to have earn a buck the next season. We all remember better times but sadly we dont run the show or make the rules. If they tell us to shoot more deer alot of us will shoot more deer. Those in the areas where the deer population is real bad, Those hunters might consider hunting elsewhere, or not hunting at all. SHOOT WOLVES!!!! Like Rich Said, Kill em all or at least do something about this problem. I think like Jason said the DNR have a difficult job on there hands and they cant please everyone. We need to keep speaking our mind and maybe just maybe if we speak LOUD enough we will be heard!
Jake
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Permalink Reply by Mike Noskoviak on
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Google Idaho for Wildlife and watch the you tube video "Surplus killing"
Mike Noskoviak said:Soryy to tell you Erin, But that is not true that Wolves only take out the old, sick and wounded. They take out whatever they can and often times leave the animal uneaten or partially eaten and left to suffer a brutal death. The deer are like toys that they play with and harrass. A few Wolves are ok, but when the population is not controlled it poses a problem. There have been some Wolves catching the mange up here...I guess Mother nature knows when their are too many also.
Erin Clements said:Don't wolves help the deer population? The wolves are killing mainly the youngest, oldest, and the sickest...They are what keep our deer herds healthy. But all you rednecks care about is killing your deer. Could you imagine Wisconsin without wolves. I'd probably cry. Wolves are what makes Wisonsin.. Wisconsin. Many people never even get the chance to see a wolf in their lifetime. We humans are the only ones that can help these poor creatures. All you people want to do is start a war between us, and the wolves. I don't know if any of you own dogs, but I have 2. I would NEVER be able to life my gun up to my dog, nor my dog's cousin. Wolves. Once Protected, Now Hunted.
-
Permalink Reply by rich valentine on -
well said mike, we need to put a stop to the wolves asap.
Mike Noskoviak said:Google Idaho for Wildlife and watch the you tube video "Surplus killing"
Mike Noskoviak said:Soryy to tell you Erin, But that is not true that Wolves only take out the old, sick and wounded. They take out whatever they can and often times leave the animal uneaten or partially eaten and left to suffer a brutal death. The deer are like toys that they play with and harrass. A few Wolves are ok, but when the population is not controlled it poses a problem. There have been some Wolves catching the mange up here...I guess Mother nature knows when their are too many also.
Erin Clements said:Don't wolves help the deer population? The wolves are killing mainly the youngest, oldest, and the sickest...They are what keep our deer herds healthy. But all you rednecks care about is killing your deer. Could you imagine Wisconsin without wolves. I'd probably cry. Wolves are what makes Wisonsin.. Wisconsin. Many people never even get the chance to see a wolf in their lifetime. We humans are the only ones that can help these poor creatures. All you people want to do is start a war between us, and the wolves. I don't know if any of you own dogs, but I have 2. I would NEVER be able to life my gun up to my dog, nor my dog's cousin. Wolves. Once Protected, Now Hunted.
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