Officials still hunting for problem wolves

By Nick Gevock of The Montana Standard - 11/01/2008

A federal trapper continues hunting for the wolves that have now killed five cows in the Big Hole Valley.

Graham McDougal with U.S. Wildlife Services hasn't been able to kill any wolves from the pack, said Carolyn Sime, wolf program manager with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The pack has killed five cows and injured another on Loren Giem's ranch northeast of Wisdom.

Sime said the pack was previously unknown and does not have a member with a tracking collar. She said she understands why Giem is frustrated with the problem but the wolves have remained elusive.

"I share his frustration," she said. "It's one of those tough deals where wolves are just running around so much that it's really hard to get the job done; that doesn't mean that we're not trying, it doesn't mean we quit trying." The wolves began attacking Giem's cattle early last month. So far, officials have confirmed five cattle were killed by the wolves, including two on his property and three on public land where he holds grazing leases.

Another cow was injured but escaped and is being doctored.

Giem blasted state officials for what he said was a lackluster response to the attacks. He called FWP's wolf program "impotent" in dealing with a problem that is costing him more than $20,000 in lost cattle and feed.

"How many cattle do we have to lose before we identify this pack as a severe problem?" he said. "For the life of me, I can't see why they haven't ordered for them to be eradicated." Giem said the loss is not limited to the cattle. He counts on that area as summer and fall pasture and normally doesn't bring his cattle to his home ranch near Twin Bridges until December.

This year, his herd has been run out of those pastures by the wolves. He said his herd trampled through fences and was found days ago near state Highway 43, well down from where they were supposed to be.

"We moved them because the cattle were all balled up in a corner," he said. "They're not feeding and they're just terrified." But Sime said they have worked to deal with the problem wolves by ordering two of them be killed, including issuing permits to Giem to shoot the wolves if they're spotted. She said once FWP makes the management decision, it's up to Wildlife Services to carry it out.

She said there haven't been restrictions placed on Wildlife Services.

"Any resources that he can bring to bear, it's within his authority to do that," she said. "Once Wildlife Services is authorized to get the job done, it's their job." Reporter Nick Gevock may be reached via e-mail at nick.gevock@mtstandard.com.