Blackfoot (936) Wolves

[Stinky Buffalo]

At the orientation last night, the instructor was mentioning the estimated size of the resident wolf pack.

I was thinking to myself, "somone on here had a nice set of trail cam pics of that pack from last year... Now where are they?"

Sure enough, they are in this post by Kurkurfur.

I hope you don't mind me re-posting those photos, Kurkurfur - it's neat to see that they are in there. I've heard them, but have never seen them.

[silverdoctor]

Pretty cool pics.

[waterninja]

Darn it all stinky. I was at same orientation. Would have introduced myself.
Interesting how CO stated that last years lower then normal elk harvest is attributed to the wolf pack in 936.
Forgot to ask CO what the regs. on predators was. I will check gen. regs, but if you know please let me (us) know.

[CantThinkOfAName]

I was there too... lol.

Anyway the CO kept saying that you can only hunt what you have a tag for. So no predator, rabbit, crow, etc. from what I took away from orientation.

[singleshotom]

I know its a reg. trap line so fur bearing is off limits..
sst

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by CantThinkOfAName

I was there too... lol.

Anyway the CO kept saying that you can only hunt what you have a tag for. So no predator, rabbit, crow, etc. from what I took away from orientation.

I was told by CO you can protect youself and your kill. But not purposely feather one.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Anyone have trail cam pics of the cougars and bears?

[Stinky Buffalo]

Haha! I was the guy with the black t-shirt, sitting conveniently next to the coffee machine.

I'm definitely going to have to wear a name tag next time. I did get a chance to chat with a few people which was great. Always enjoy meeting fellow AOers!

But yeah, one thing that they changed was the definition of "antlered" - it's now in line with the general regs.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by CantThinkOfAName

Anyway the CO kept saying that you can only hunt what you have a tag for. So no predator, rabbit, crow, etc. from what I took away from orientation.

Right. Last year there were a couple of hunters shooting rabbits. Likely didn't hear that part of the presentation. :O

[happy honker]

darn...I missed the orientation...I called 5 times and always got "mail box full" when trying to find out when the session was.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by happy honker

darn...I missed the orientation...I called 5 times and always got "mail box full" when trying to find out when the session was.

Is okay... Their answering machine only holds around 40 messages. The next one is on the 5th of September at 19:30.

Other dates are:
- October 10, 17 and 24 at 19:30
- October 11, 18 and 25 at 14:30

The orientation is good for five years; for the next four seasons you'll just need to stop by to get your annual discharge permit before hunting there.

[Dacotensis]

A few of them wolves like to venture outside the high fence as well.

Wait till you start calling elk and a few of the dogs sneak in on you.

[coolpete1]

can you just show up on those dates? sorry for the sidetrack.

[happy honker]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Is okay... Their answering machine only holds around 40 messages. The next one is on the 5th of September at 19:30.

Other dates are:
- October 10, 17 and 24 at 19:30
- October 11, 18 and 25 at 14:30

The orientation is good for five years; for the next four seasons you'll just need to stop by to get your annual discharge permit before hunting there.

Thanks SB.....I got my permit the first year of the "5 year" renewal plan, so I think I have to go to the orientation this year.
936 is hard hunting, and there are less deer in there than when we hunted it hard years ago...but's it's a great place.
Put on your big boy pants in 936.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Anymore pics of the wolves?

[Drake slayer]

I waz also there just reading now lol. Think he said there waz about 20 that would mean about 2 head a week are being takin down.

[Stinky Buffalo]

By the way, it looks like there's going to be some trail closures over the coming weeks (Blackfoot, North and Waskehegan trails) while they are tagging animals for research.

More details and map are here.

[timsesink]

Thanks for the heads up! I don't venture up that far usually.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by Drake slayer

I waz also there just reading now lol. Think he said there waz about 20 that would mean about 2 head a week are being takin down.

Wolves have been after the cattle more so than the elk. Cows dont fight back. There is still cattle grazing in parts of the park even though the lady at the office said they were out.

I was in there recently.... and the wolves were howling and i took pics of tracks. Ya... theres alot of wolves in there.

[Alberta Bigbore]

.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

.

thanks for heads up stinky.

[heretohunt]

If the wolves start taking cattle, fish and wildlife will start poisoning them.

[Alberta Bigbore]

The lady who issued my discharge pernit said that wolves have taken some cattle.. just couldnt give me numbers

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

The lady who issued my discharge pernit said that wolves have taken some cattle.. just couldnt give me numbers

Wolves started taking cattle in my area last year, so quietly a bait was set out. The only way that I found out was I was hunting wolves and came across it, there were some dead ones there so I called f&w. I met him out there to collect them and kind of got the low down. It is extremely effective. Good news for an elk hunter bad news for a wolf hunter. I am both...

[Alberta Bigbore]

I think 936 is rin a bit different than other WMU'S. There has veen a small cougar population for years, and they have known about the wolves for a while. Im under the impression they are happy they are in there. Not allowed to shoot fur bearing animals in the park.

If the cattle kills are true... i only hope it makes the cattle owners stop grazing in there ... or atleast cut back.. so the elk drop back down in some favorite areas ive hunted years past.

[chuck-the-chimp]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Haha! I was the guy with the black t-shirt, sitting conveniently next to the coffee machine.

I'm definitely going to have to wear a name tag next time. I did get a chance to chat with a few people which was great. Always enjoy meeting fellow AOers!

But yeah, one thing that they changed was the definition of "antlered" - it's now in line with the general regs.

What was the change in the antlered thing?

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by chuck-the-chimp

What was the change in the antlered thing?

Originally they didn't have a 4" minimum. So even a button bull was considered to be antlered.

[Rantastic]

The lady at the office told me this year while I was getting my discharge permit that since it is a sort of provincial park/wildlife area.... (not sure exactly where it falls) It is to be treated as any other provincial park where every animal is protected except for the very limited exceptions (Elk, WT Deer, Moose, Grouse and Waterfowl) that you hold a tag for and are listed on the discharge permit.

[7magtime]

I spoke to someone at the office yesterday and was told 30 wolves regularly inhabit Blackfoot & as well confirmed that some calves were taken down by them this summer(didn't say how many though). I also have rec'd info that cattle/calves were killed outside of the reserve recently on the East side but have to confirm that with some of the landowner's I know out that way. I do know that last fall when I was securing permission out there, a couple of the landowner's warned me about the wolf presence in the area.......

[astepanuk]

I couldn’t believe it when I shot my Bull went back to my truck came back in with a team of horses maybe 3 hrs. later and there wasn’t even a drop of gut pile there must have been 30 coyotes running from my elk carcass couldn’t believe how fast they got on the elk.