THE SEARCH FOR IDAHO ELK
By Jim Foster
No one ever told me that hunting elk in any of the Rocky Mountain States would be easy.
That said, I must add elk hunting is something I enjoy almost as much as following a good dog after upland game or stalking a tailing redfish along the Texas Coast. The scenery, the air, and yes even the adventure.
During past hunts I have encountered bear, both black and grizzly, mountain lion, badger, and many other species of native wild game. This year has been no exception but with the time drawing near for my return to Texas - time is running out. Sadly, I have not seen an elk while hunting this year.
What I had seen was plenty of wolf tracks. They seemed to be everywhere. New elk tracks in the snow were all followed by at least one or two sets of wolf tracks.
I was excited to draw one of the cherished cow elk tags in special Unit #29 and had high hopes of filling my freezer with fresh killed elk. As if the guys on the noise 4-wheelers weren’t bad enough now the wolf population has grown and begun killing off elk in larger numbers. The elk that aren’t killed are chased until they leave their normal range.
But, some legal dimwit in Montana put them back on the endangered species list so now we must live with an animal that shouldn’t be here in the first place. No wonder western ranchers regard the Federal Fish and Wildlife people on the level of whale poop on the ocean floor. So do I. I’ve always called them the US Fish and Worthless "service" – and that’s using the word service very loosely.
So, here I go again, mounting up my mustang mare in the dark and riding into the mountains in search of elk. I let her have her head and she finds the trail at a nice walk. The hunt is on.
Now after several days of hunting and not seeing an animal I have begun to wonder where the elk have gone. What I am seeing in great abundance is wolf sign. Their tracks are everywhere and I have found several dead elk and deer, all wolf kills. Why are these damnable animals here?
So as I load my animals for the last time I do hope the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will get busy and delist the devils and let the states where the wolves are do the “management”. Maybe that sorry excuse for a judge in Montana will get the message. I know I’ll buy a license.
The latest records in Idaho show wolf related damage to cattle and horses were up 52 percent from 2006 to 2007, another 52 percent in 2008. And a shocking verified livestock depredation in Idaho of 62 percent.
In an ongoing research in the area north of my hunt area it has been documented that 75 percent of the cow elk deaths are wolf related. That’s the lowest survival rate in the state.
As I end my hunt and depart for the fertile pheasant fields of Texas wondering when those in charge will start taking care of the people of this country and let well enough alone. The fact is man and the wolf can’t live together.
The wolf must go. What is there about a “problem” does that judge not understand?
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
