By Michael Howell
On a visit to the Bitterroot Valley last week, Dr. Robert Ream, Chairman of the state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission, came prepared with a power point presentation aimed at situating the “wolf versus elk” problem within the broader horizon of predator/prey impacts in general, as well as the impacts of hunting and management practices on both the predator and the prey.
Ream said that western Montana has probably the most diverse predator/prey complex in North America, in terms of numbers of predator species and numbers of prey species.
“It makes it interesting scientifically, but difficult as managers to have such a variety to deal with,” said Ream.
Ream started with the general picture in terms of overall state management, but quickly came to focus upon the Bitterroot and from there to focus in on the south end of the Bitterroot and Hunting District 250, up the West Fork in particular.
Overall, he said, statistics show that the elk population statewide is doing well with numbers at an all-time high of 112,000. He said the state management objective calls for 90,000 which means about 22,000 elk over objective. He noted that out of six hunting districts in the Bitterroot Valley, two were over objective, three were at objective and only one was under objective: Hunting District 250, up the West Fork.
Ream said that forty years ago he participated in an elk study on the Three Mile Game Range in which a lot of elk were radio collared. He said that forty years ago there was only one third the number of elk as now. Twenty years ago, there were only half as many elk as now.
“Overall, the numbers are going up,” Ream said.
So what’s wrong in Hunting District 250?
Ream suggests, considering a number of factors, that it was a “perfect storm.” Those factors include hunting, predation and weather and have all moved in concert to tip the balance in that area against the elk. He said the drop in the calf/cow ratio had hit a critical low, but did show some sign of recent recovery.
Severe winters can depress calf production and survival rates. According to Ream, the West Fork experienced three severe winters in a row starting in 1988 which reduced calf/cow ratios down to almost 20 which is close to the bottom for maintaining a herd.
But it was in 2003 when the legislature passed House Bill 42 that “started the downward spiral.” Ream said the law required FWP to manage the elk “at or below the objectives.”
“It’s kind of like saying you are going to manage for ‘at or below average’, the average is just going to go down,” he said.
He points to the high elk harvest numbers that ensued. Once the law was put into effect the number taken jumped from 91 to 280 and continued at a high rate for years at 230, 188 and 132. These last few years also coincide with a decline in the calf/cow ratios. According to Ream, it was this high harvest of cows that really precipitated the storm.
Predators are another factor that affect the numbers of elk.
The arrival of wolves in the West Fork, according to Ream, added to the predatory pressure on the elk herds, but does not come close to the impact that mountain lions have. He noted that lions kill four times as many elk as wolves or bears. The results of an ongoing study of radio collared elk calves up the West Fork show totals of calf predation at four each attributed to bears and wolves, while the lion take has reached 15.
Ream said wolves first arrived in the West Fork during the high hunter harvest period. For four years it was a single pack. But this pack split and then split again. There are now two resident packs and another two packs that straddle the Montana-Idaho border in the area. Ream noted that the number of wolves counted in the West Fork over the last four years has remained stable at about 25 to 30. He said that the number of packs in western and southwestern Montana have also been stable for a number of years. Most of the growth in numbers, he said, is in the northwestern region where the recovery was natural to begin with.
Ream knows a lot about the natural recovery of wolves as he was on the team that radio collared the first wolf in the North Fork of the Flathead back in 1979. It was a lone female that had wandered down from Canada. Two years later she was joined by a male and a pack was formed. By 1985 it was a pack of twelve. It was called the “Magic Pack” because it would disappear and reappear as the agency tried to track its whereabouts.
It was members of this pack that dispersed and started the Nine Mile Pack. One lone male also wandered off into the Lolo area around Kelly Creek and when a female from the release in Idaho came over, they started the Kelly Creek pack that still exists in that area.
Ream cautioned people about how to read the FWP annual report on the wolf harvest. He said the total number of wolves killed, for instance, doesn’t include the 45 killed in the extended season which brings the total killed to hunting harvest to 166. So when you read that the wolf population has increased by 65, he said, it does not include those 57 wolves that have died from all causes since December 31.
Ream said that people need to remember that the quotas set in the wolf hunt are just that.
“They are a ceiling, not a basement,” he said. He characterized reaching 75 percent of the absolute quota “successful.”
Ream said that he worked hard for delisting the wolves and gaining state control of management. The state developed a good management plan.
“But Idaho dragged its feet and Wyoming held the whole thing up for years,” said Ream. “If Wyoming hadn’t stalled the thing, we could have been hunting for six years in Montana.”
He said Montana is moving cautiously now because a mistake could lead right back to federal control.
Ream said that the commission was trying to address all these concerns. He said they had adopted a hybrid season and he believed they would also increase the lion quotas and he was for increasing wolf quotas. He said the main effort at this point is to get the legislature to allow multiple wolf permits to individuals and to extend the season. He said trapping was also under consideration, although snares raise the problem of too many non-target animals being killed.
Ream said he voted against the final extension of the last season because of a need for consistency and the fact that FWP Region 2 Director Mack Long had estimated that the extension would only produce one or two more wolf kills. He said he was suggesting extending the season on the front end and starting in September.
Ream expressed confidence in the continued existence of a wolf population in the north west.
“We will always have a core population in northwest Montana,” he said. “Going back a hundred years, we would not have gotten rid of all the wolves without the use of poison. Hunting and trapping would not have done it. It was the use of poison. And we are not going back to that. So we will always have a core population in northwest Montana.”
An indication that things are already beginning to turn around in the West Fork is that the calf/cow ratio has been rising from a low of 9 calves per hundred cows in 2009 to 11 in 2010 and to 18 in 2011.
“It is still below what we would want, but it gives us hope,” said Ream.
Jack says
Don’t get where the numbers of predator kills vs prey are coming from. From what I read, so far, 13 elk calves killed by cougars.
4 by wolves, 4 by bears and 11 killed by “unknown”. So what if that “unknown” happens to be wolf kills, which is more than likely. That would bring the calves killed by wolves to 15. Take even half the “unknowns”, which would bring the number to 9, rounding it out.
No one mentions the predator pit, in which a cougar kills a calf, which normally would feed this lion for a week. The cougar is chased off by wolves, and then, because the cat has to eat; it goes out and kills another calf, and so on…… Pretty soon, the cats are killing most of the calves, because their prey is being “appropriated”. It just happen; wolves are huges scavengers, and a single, or even a group of lions, has/have no chance against a pack of wolves, or even a pair. It is happening with the mule deer herds in all the mountain states, with cats killing their “weekly” deer, which is then appropriated by coyotes, which makes the cat kill even more deer, etc. Just keeps on going…. With cow elk ages at all time old ages, pretty soon, where there are lots of predators, of any kind, there will be no elk. Period. Then the predators will head for the ranches and subdivisions. Easy pickins’ there. They will have a ball eating little dogs, and especially kitty cats, maybe a child or two. It’s coming, just be patient. Wyoming Practical.
Socialist says
C.Derr
Sounds like you’d like to get them gallows up and goin’n pronto! I’m not sure you understand that treason thang. It has to do with war, and spying, and, well, helping’ out the enemy when you’r at war. you are an idiot C.Derr, and i’m calling’ you out. Don’t get the idea that since i’m a socialist, i’m a wimpy man. nope, got guns, and muscles and lots of stamina. You wanna come hang me? better bring your friends, and your mother too. She could probably whoop me, but not you.
Cody Coyote says
Folks in Montana need to get their rabies shots, because some of these commentros are definitely afflicted ; frothing at the keyboard. Even some of the wingnut gubernatorial candidates.
The Catch-22 here is trying to explain to ignorant people why they are ignorant…they simply can’t comprehend it. Whoosh!
Elk populations fluctuate , as do all wildlife numbers. They are not supposed to be at an artifically high head count year after year ( read: huntable numbers). In fact, it’s not even about numbers at all. The North American Big Game (Wildlife) Conservation Model was/is/will continue to be flawed for that reason among others. Elk populations drop precipitously , even crash to < 10 percent of former numbers, and frankly , this is DESIREABLE in the long term…to give the habitat a rest and let the herds rebuild with the stronger more selective progenitors. Human hunting desires are the very LAST criteria you should use in wildlife management and conservation…if you don't allow for the base natural needs of range and animals or allow for sever but cyclical swings in populations, human sport hunting will only distort or debilify the outcomes. Man is the lousiest of wildlife managers in that the only tool generally used is a rifle…
Ignoramuses like Fanning don't get any of this. Whoosh !
mostlyMike says
Bob Fanning,
You call perfectly fine folks names and say they should be thrown in jail. You seem to think being a Democrat is not just wrong but should be a crime.
I guess you are running about dead last in your race for governor. Maybe it is because you are trash from Chicago that comes out here and tries to threaten people.
Buying a hobby ranch in Paradise Valley didn’t make you a welcome resident. Your ideas are those of the robber barons Montanans threw off years ago.
Senior Dumbletweed says
Boob Fanning for governa’! Let’s take Montana back to the stone age!
Louise Kane says
apparantly all you people that must blame wolves forget that Dr. Ream, PhD has served his state for many years. Why not try and look at the science and stop wanting to blame and kill wolves without reason.
C. Derr says
I believe Bob Fanning said what needed to be said. Anybody that was directly and indirectly involved in wolf introduction in yellowstone and central Idaho are public enemeys and should be prosicuted for treason against America. The wolf was introduced without the consent of congress and against the fish and game commissions of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. They knew at the time that the people were not going to recieve these wolves well and thats why they hurried to get them turned loose as quickly as possible. Justice moves ever so slowly but we citizens will prevail and the price is going to be high on both sides of the issue.
william huard says
Gee fatboy Fanning thinks he is as smart as Bob Ream. Get that psychotropic medicine ready
Reality22 says
Like I said below “expect the hate to come here”….. Carter posts Ralphs hate sight and the anti-hunting hate just pours in! Cody Coyote, Mikey & Haurd… that trio spreads it as good as a wolf can devour a mule deer carcass! Have at’r boys! Let’s hear some more about how wolves save our ecosystems, pay our taxes , clean the air & poop gold. I cannot for the life of me understand how we made it the last two thousand years without living side by side with undomesticated lobo!
Reality22 says
Bob…. you forgot one person to add to that prosecution list……Here is a comment from Carter Niemeyer on the anit-hunting hate site by Ralph Maughan “This is a pretty good story that expresses Dr Bob Ream’s take on the wolf/elk situation in the Bitteroot region of Montana. Bob is chairman of the Montana Fish and Game Commission and a very respectable person. The thread following has a dose of hot air from delusional governor candidate and pipe-dreamer, Bob Fanning, that I think merits some comments back in support of Dr Ream. Thank God we have people like Bob Ream still active in wildlife management issues in Montana.” Expect the hate to come here…… if you want the thread name I’ll post it but I’m sure you can find it.
Immer Treue says
Reality,
If you are worried about hunting in this country, you better look closer to home. Your buddy Don Peay has his own ideas.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/conservationist/2012/03/group-founder-declares-north-american-hunting-model-“socialism”
Bob Fanning says
Food for thought re lethal wolf management; had the “wolf protection rackets” NGO’s not obstructed wolf delisting for a decade because of the motive for money and their malicious anti hunting, anti ranching anti property rights political intent the issue of lethal control would not have become so contentious, polarized and personalized. We now have to clean up 12 years their mess and they are demonizing us the victims instead of accepting personal responsibility for the cataclysm that they caused. “People come before predators” especially on settled landscapes with extreme predator densities. ADDITIVE PREDATION resulting from ALL predators being protected for decades in exchange for the cash & power over land Ream,DOW,NRDC, EarthJustice, EarthGuardians, CBD,YNP,Mt.FWP, Mt Wildlife Federation, Western Watersheds ,et.al took . Ream, Doug Smith , Ted Turner, Mike Phillips , Ed Bangs , Jamie Clark , Rene’ Askins , Hank Fisher, all need to be prosecuted.
Bob Fanning + Montana = Belly up state says
Quit yer bitching Bob Fanning. You can’t even write a grammatically correct sentence (no surprise there). Wolves are here to stay, so get used to it and dry your tears. Adapt to the situation instead of throwing a decade-old, broken record temper-tantrum. This nice little note will probably only piss you off more, but its not in the business of changing your mind. Ever heard of a reality check?
Dr. Bob Ream is a professional with decades of experience researching and dealing with ungulates and predators. He and his team know a little more about the situation than your little mind could ever handle.
And Allen Schallenberger?? Are you serious? Try this for starters and click on the link if you don’t believe me:
“I like grizzly bears, but I don’t like bureaucrats causing problems,” he said.
Mark Petroni, Madison District ranger for the forest, disputed Schallenberger’s claim that there aren’t enough bears throughout the ranges to justify the rule. This week, a hunter found his camp in shambles after a bear ravaged the wall tent, searching for food.
Read more: http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_7ded38f9-117e-5bc8-ab38-6c58494bca64.html#ixzz1rJQY9mxk
Allen sounds like quite the steward of wildlife, eh? It’s pretty pathetic that you would even think of labeling him with the reputable title of “large carnivore biologist”.
Please do us all a favor and drop out of the governor’s race. In case you decide to stay the course: I vote, along with many hundreds of thousands of logically-minded Montanan voters that are not interested in annihilating apex predators, so I suggest you cut your losses.
Brandy Shale says
Blame any and everything except the Wolves…What a crock. We have always had weather, habitat, predators, and hunting…and our animals have always recovered…they aren’t now…WOLVES….Nothing but!…The love affair is over…People are learning their destructive, wasteful tendencies and about the human fatal tapeworm….and by the way…the wolf I saw squat to pee was FEMALE……..and that was in 88-89……these POS wolves have destroyed our native timber wolves….The destruction of NATIVE species is Now considered Conservation??…This INTRODUCTION was illegal…it was fraudulent and now we have a 3 state state of emergency!! I am sick of these conservation biologists using our great states as a giant petrie dish. They are nothing but paid well to be bought cheap!!!…..studies based on theories is NOT Science!!……It is FRAUD!
Bob Fanning says
According to Allen Schallenberger State of Montana 15 year large carnivore biologist ;”Ream falsified the science that made wolf reintroduction possible ” Ream was a long time Chairman of the Montana Democratic Party while forced reintroduction wenton. Ream is Montana Public Enemy #1.
Clay Fowler says
Does Mr. Ream really expect ANYONE to believe these lies?
Dan Pletscher says
For several of those who have commented on the good story above, I am reminded of the old H.L. Mencken quote “For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”
Jello says
Well heck, Bob, you’re motivated by money (according to your website where we can donate to your campaign), so be careful where you cast stones. What I wonder is, why does a guy running for governor have so much time to spend on blogs complaining about wolves?
Roger says
If the “other side” said it, then it must be wrong. Sounds similar to national politics these days. It sounds to me like the Montana legislature started their own downward elk management mandate years ago. That would be a problem in any state! It does no good to whine about the past. Been there, done that. Sounds like Dr Ream has presented a lot of valid information. It can’t be dismissed if radio collared elk calves are being killed by lions at the rate of 3:1 over wolves in the WF. That’s the same as 30:10 Somehow that figure sounds more meaningful. I’m not defending wolves, I’m defending the science behind management. Every one has their own “facts”. Not every town is the same and not every drainage is the same. That’s probablly why some elk units in Idaho are doing fine with wolves and others seem to get pounded some. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle of these controversies.
mostlyMike says
How about some facts from you showing they are lies, FLower?