Cattlemen Discuss Wolves

Cattlemen Discuss Wolves

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I'm Bob Larson. The controversy over gray wolves in Washington state continues, especially for ranchers in the $700 million-a-year cattle and sheep industry who say the predators threaten their livelihood.

The conversation became animated at last week's Washington Cattlemen's Association meeting at Suncadia.

It took the diplomatic and matter-of-fact hand of the Associations Executive Vice President Jack Field to settle things down ...

JACK FIELD ... "Where we are right now, we have the improved protocol. We've been through a season. It worked. We successfully removed wolves. My own personal opinion is, the reason we're frustrated with the outcome is that the director, and I've talked with this staff and he understands this very clearly, I think created an unattainable goal by saying 'pack removal.' The protocol says the department will implement lethal removal to stop depredations. It does not say we will implement lethal removal to eliminate packs."

Field went on to say the challenge now is getting the tools and resources on the ground to help Fish and Wildlife do the job they're doing and make sure there is a fair compensation plan in place for ranchers who lose livestock through depredation.

Seven wolves were removed from the Profanity Peak wolfpack this year after several attacks on cattle. One wolf and three pups are still believed to exist.

Previous ReportRains a Good Sign for Next Year
Next ReportHinkle joins Save Family Farming