Wolves and scent

Since it came out in another topic and it could interest some people.

http://www.wolfcenter.org/scent-rolling.html

Here is a link to a nearby wolf sanctuary in Maine. Runs With Wolves Sanctuary

I more interested in the hunting seasons on wolf. BTW, when I see a wasp nest or poisonous snake near where my children play I kill them too.

Still don't understand why anyone would want to kill a wolf. For the pelt? For the prestige? You certainly wouldn't be eating it, which to me, is a waste, irresponsible, and selfish. I've never hunted an animal of any kind just for sport; any animal I've hunted has had every part of the body used for something.

Sad ... I sense a fear in him that has been blown out of proportion. These creatures have been created for purpose. Without malintent they live out their lives. Life becomes difficult with their living space being intruded on by a larger supposed more intelligent being. In survival mode they will protect themselves only if they are not given the respected space needed. Call it a comfort zone. Humans strike out when this space is violated too. But humans should be intelligent enough to assess the danger they face when in these situations.
With no purpose in killing an animal, other than self pride or for a trophy the kill becomes an empty effort. Yes, I have hunted ... for food. There was no waste, and thanks was given for the life of the animal that was shared, with me, along with thanks to nature and its bounty.

Where there is fear one has not examined closely enough the origin and purpose of this encounter in life.
F.E.A.R.

F. False
E. Evidence
A. Appearing
R. Real

Remember this acronym when fear attempts to creep in. Examine things more closely. You have missed something and you have an opportunity to learn a thing or two. Calm down, take a second look.

Ignorance can be eradicated through knowledge.

Let's not turn the OP into a "Let's Kill Wolves" thread.

The intent was ( as I understand it ) to highlight instincts exemplified by wolves, whom have acquired a very capable sense (acuity) of detecting distinct changes within the environment.

What we are experiencing is the adaptation of species into the human environment and it's happening everywhere.

I was watching the news this AM (while on travel in Phx, AZ) on a a story where a Bobcat had taken up residency in the backyard of a Scottsdale (not very rural at all) residence.

My observation: We're experiencing a more rapid Darwin acclimation of species to urban environments.

X-Racer wrote:

Let's not turn the OP into a "Let's Kill Wolves" thread.

The intent was ( as I understand it ) to highlight instincts exemplified by wolves, whom have acquired a very capable sense (acuity) of detecting distinct changes within the environment.

What we are experiencing is the adaptation of species into the human environment and it's happening everywhere.

My observation: We're experiencing a more rapid Darwin acclimation of species to urban environments.

+1 Animals are displaying a much better ability to adapt to change than man's ability to overcome his unreasonable fears of the creatures that he encounters.

+100 on that! I live out in the bush, amongst the bears, wolves, coyotes, cougar, bobcat, wolverine...etc. There is no fear when you respect the animals that you share their home with. Humans have far more work to adapt to living with wild animals than they do with us. Animals are more curious than anything, and more often than not, want nothing more than to be left alone. There is the odd time that a weakend or starved cougar will attack a human, but those happenings are rare. More times than not human deaths occur simply because they were not being respectful of the animal that was encountered....bears especially. Even mule deer does will attack if you come too close to their fawns. One just has to exercise vigilance and respect when walking amongst the animals when in their home territory.

I understand the context Dan writes in. IIRC, there was a (side point) debate with he & Jager about wolves rolling in elk dung to hide their scent from other elk.. i'm sure his point was to re-enforce his earlier claim.

But since when do we on internet forums have to understand context? ..he probably is anti-wolf.. He probably doesn't like shewolf, or puppies or kittens, either! Let's get him!

As long as we have plenty of dung to roll around in, it helps mask our identity, too. ...no shortage here!

Also, since he's probably a socialist, living in Canada, & no doubt supports obama & his plan for world domination, he doesn't really know which side he's on.. is he a gun toting right wing wacko, wanting to shoot wolves & liberals, or is he a left wing extremist, working for the demise of capitalism & filled with angst over the wasps & snakes that Joe killed?

Who is this guy? What do we really know about him? What's with the 'dancamp' nickname? is he camping? Is he an isolationist, & the only one in his camp? Is he even a 'dan'? Maybe he'e a she.. danielle or something..

Lol Scotty, what a character. When or if you ever get this way, let me know. Maybe we can roll in a pile of bear shit....there's lots of that around these parts.

rydnseek wrote:

As long as we have plenty of dung to roll around in, it helps mask our identity, too. ...no shortage here!

Now THAT was classic ! I about spit my coffee all over the computer !

SheWolf wrote:

I live out in the bush, amongst the bears, wolves, coyotes, cougar, bobcat, wolverine...etc.

No wonder you're such a wild thang. Wild thang... You make my bee sting.....

Dancamp wrote:

Since it came out in another topic and it could interest some people.

http://www.wolfcenter.org/scent-rolling.html

Yes, and you could reference Farley Mowat as well.

Not only is he Canadian, but he wrote an entire book on how wolves just live on little field mice, pretty much ignoring the local caribou - his book and advocacy for wolves was VERY well received by the public. But then we'd have to discuss what wolves should roll in to disguise themselves before they set out to ambush field mice. When any of these people manage to publish a peer reviewed paper in a refereed science journal supporting their beliefs, then I'll be impressed.

Little Wikopedia linky for those who want to see how another amateur's interpretation of wolf behaviour was received:
Never Cry Wolf - Little Red Riding Hood in reverse

So why shoot wolves, assuming they have sustainable populations? Many reasons, including the fact they need to be managed just as we manage all other species rather than letting them go through wild population swings. Same reason we spend money fighting forest fires, rather than let nature burn and regrow on it's own schedule. Same reason we manage other predators for healthy wildlife populations. Wolves are like any other wild animal, much as we like to anthropomorphize them. They aren't noble, nor are they evil. They're born, they eat, they reproduce, and they die. There is certainly nothing noble about watching wolves tearing roasts out of the back end of a squalling elk calf while it is still alive - but it isn't evil either. Or killing and maiming other wolves in pack squabbles. It is just wolves doing what they do. They're interesting to watch and they occupy a niche in the ecosystem, but like any other species, it is quite possible to have too much of a good thing. Then we either let nature take populations through a roller coaster ride, or we manage populations.

There are areas in the East Kootenays where wolf predation is so high that moose calf escapement is so low that moose have been rapidly disappearing in these areas, and in some drainages have disappeared completely. Where once you freely bought a tag across the counter, now you enter a limited entry draw for one. KNP is another area that has been heavily hit by wolf predation. And while they aren't the cause of low mountain caribou numbers in this area, their predation on mountain caribou has pretty much eliminated any hope of rebuilding caribou populations. Who do we blame in that case - the wolves, or the snowmobilers who left the packed trails into the high country which the wolves use to hunt caribou from? Nice firm footing for them while the caribou sink in the snow. Wildlife management is not about "shoot all the wolves". Nor is it about "never kill a wolf". It is about managing all species - non game as well as game - for healthy sustainable numbers. And yes, for our optimal own use after healthy populations are there.

Fear of wildlife should be pretty low on anybody's threat meter. On the other hand, it would be ignoring reality to pretend that outright predatory behavior towards human beings from carnivores and omnivores never happens. Too many recorded instances of that happening to pretend it doesn't exist, carried out by perfectly healthy animals.

Good point Jäger, kudos for pointing out that there are times where management is needed. Thanks.

rydnseek wrote:

I understand the context Dan writes in. IIRC, there was a (side point) debate with he & Jager about wolves rolling in elk dung to hide their scent from other elk.. i'm sure his point was to re-enforce his earlier claim.

But since when do we on internet forums have to understand context? ..he probably is anti-wolf.. He probably doesn't like shewolf, or puppies or kittens, either! Let's get him!

As long as we have plenty of dung to roll around in, it helps mask our identity, too. ...no shortage here!

Also, since he's probably a socialist, living in Canada, & no doubt supports obama & his plan for world domination, he doesn't really know which side he's on.. is he a gun toting right wing wacko, wanting to shoot wolves & liberals, or is he a left wing extremist, working for the demise of capitalism & filled with angst over the wasps & snakes that Joe killed?

Who is this guy? What do we really know about him? What's with the 'dancamp' nickname? is he camping? Is he an isolationist, & the only one in his camp? Is he even a 'dan'? Maybe he'e a she.. danielle or something..

Don't worry I'm not a socialist the way you want to make it sound. I'm not against wolves either on the contrary. We have some populations of grey wolves that are to be protected. I am someone who made a lot of canoe across the province of Quebec and I developped a sensibility toward the wolves although I never saw one. They are very shy and keep as far as possible from humans. The wolves are living a rare phenomena in some parts of the province. Since there are not enough specimens in certain areas, they started to mix with coyotes. The result looks like a bigger coyote.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/cbreton/natcul/natcul1/c/i/a.aspx

I'm just one of those who don't believe in eternal and perfect systems. Anywhere and in any form of society when there is not enough changes, some learn how to take advantage of a system and use it to their own advantage. To find out who they are, we only have to look at who benefits the more from a system and who contribute the more to it.

We must not look at it as individuals since these systems are related to masses. The example with the wolf is to show how close our way of doing things is closer to the animal side of us than to the human side.

As for who I am, it's like anyone on internet. There is the perception based on what is written and the reality. I don't support nor do I oppose Obama, I'm camadian and my political involvment is limited to it. I'm opposed to wars eccept when they are to defend our population and land. I'm not isolationist but not imperialist either. I like to understand other people and their way of life.

Sorry Dan.
My post was supposed to be a tongue in cheek bit of fun poking at all of us on these forums. But alas! Subtleties & irony never go over in these things.

I'm away from computer.. out of town with nothing but a stupid smart phone. ..takes too long to type anything..
L8r

I understand what you mean. I throw my 600 dollar smart phone in the wall 10 minutes ago and i am liberated now.

rydnseek wrote:

Sorry Dan.
My post was supposed to be a tongue in cheek bit of fun poking at all of us on these forums. But alas! Subtleties & irony never go over in these things.

I'm away from computer.. out of town with nothing but a stupid smart phone. ..takes too long to type anything..
L8r

Absolutely no offense.



Erased what wasn't related.

Dancamp wrote:

Don't worry I'm not a socialist the way you want to make it sound. I'm not against wolves either on the contrary. We have some populations of grey wolves that are to be protected. I am someone who made a lot of canoe across the province of Quebec and I developped a sensibility toward the wolves although I never saw one. They are very shy and keep as far as possible from humans. The wolves are living a rare phenomena in some parts of the province. Since there are not enough specimens in certain areas, they started to mix with coyotes. The result looks like a bigger coyote.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/cbreton/natcul/natcul1/c/i/a.aspx

I'm just one of those who don't believe in eternal and perfect systems. Anywhere and in any form of society when there is not enough changes, some learn how to take advantage of a system and use it to their own advantage. To find out who they are, we only have to look at who benefits the more from a system and who contribute the more to it.

In the US, the poor people seem to benefit the most without contributing anything! Our welfare system (starting with Lyndon Johnson) was to stamp out poverty. But it has instead herded people into concentration camp ghettos where generations live in oppression under the guise of liberal compassion. The racists couldn't have come up with a better system of racial discrimination!

Dancamp wrote:

We must not look at it as individuals since these systems are related to masses. The example with the wolf is to show how close our way of doing things is closer to the animal side of us than to the human side.

As for who I am, it's like anyone on internet. There is the perception based on what is written and the reality. I don't support nor do I oppose Obama, I'm camadian and my political involvment is limited to it. I'm opposed to wars eccept when they are to defend our population and land. I'm not isolationist but not imperialist either. I like to understand other people and their way of life.

I know there are masses.. but i only deal with individuals, so i can only speak to & relate to what an individual says. Sometimes i'm surprised we humans aren't more animalistic.. the way some of us are jammed into crowded cities.. if you did that with wolves, they'd kill each other rather quickly. We're more like cows..

I love that Freudian slip! camadian! it can be comedian or canadian! Since you're a funny canadian, it fits you well.

Imperialism.. those were the good old days.. when super powers could oppress the weak & profit from their more powerful military. I think the US was 100 yrs too late coming onto the superpower scene..

But someday, someone will revitalize the 'might makes right' philosophy. Perhaps china will move into 1st place economically & militarily. I wonder how they will do as a world policeman?

rokka wrote:

I understand what you mean. I throw my 600 dollar smart phone in the wall 10 minutes ago and i am liberated now.

I'm glad to be back at at regular keyboard.. i don't know how these young people text all day.. too slow.. too tedious. It's not much fun looking at bike pics on a 4" screen, either. ..better than nothing, but not much better.

I was entertained by the oxymoron.. 'stupid smart phone'..