Tag Archives: predation

Wolves vs. Moose

A couple of articles have surfaced over the last few days discussing wolves killing moose. You’d think wolves would choose an easier target, but apparently not. Here are the two write-ups . . .

Moose study begins in Northwest Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has begun a moose study in three areas across the state, with one area focused near Libby.

The agency is conducting the study in light of decreasing moose populations and declining hunter opportunity, according to a news release from Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Last week, 12 cow moose were darted, captured and fitted with radio collars in the East Cabinet study area south of Libby.

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Research shows Grand Teton wolves have taste for moose

Research shows wolves in the northern part of Grand Teton National Park have an appetite for moose during the wintertime.

Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers documented some 55 moose killed by wolves over the past three winters.

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Wolf impact on northwest deer populations small

Field and Stream magazine has an articel up on the impact wolves are having on deer populations in this corner of the country. Short version: Mountain lions and coyotes take far more deer than wolves, but the effects of all three are dwarfed by the impact of the weather. The North Fork gets a specific mention in the discussion . . .

In 2011, for the first time ever in Idaho, hunters harvested fewer mule deer than whitetails–big news for a state with a deer harvest that has long been dominated by muleys, and whose recent-big game headlines have been dominated by wolves and stories of their impacts (some exaggerated, some true). Wolf kills, scat, howls, and tracks… are frequent reminders of wolves’ presence in the Western whitetail woods.

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