How the re-introduction of wolves is impacting Colorado

As part of efforts to save wolves from extinction, the animals have been re-introduced in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Some of the wolves have moved to Colorado of their own accord, and more are set to be released there soon. Michelle Miller takes us inside the debate.
#wolves #news #midwest
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[@qmantexas440]

Please re-introduce grizzly bears into LA.

[@Nocomment552]

Bruh, this is a serious video. I’m not here to laugh lol.

[@Brainbaskit]

Exactly, a lot of people don't know, they used to be native to Skid Row. Let them be free again!

[@brichards989]

Are you talking Louisiana or Los Angeles? I guess they're both good ideas.

[@skysthelimitvideos]

Grizzlies unironicaly need to be reintroduced to California

[@markphillips2252]

Boulder and ft collins also

[@lukespack]

Large dogs used by ranchers can have a definitely positive effect on the cattle lost to wolves. Europeans have used guard dogs for years. Dogs like great pyrenees, anatolian shepherd, kuvasz and other livestock protectors.

[@bprint555]

Will you help the ranchers pay for these dogs? And a “large dog” cannot defend itself against 3 wolfs

[@attysthoughts3253]

@@bprint555 they're not that expensive to feed and are lower maintenance than a small house dog like a chihuahua or a daschund

[@bprint555]

@@attysthoughts3253 nice, glad you think they are inexpensive, why don’t you help pay a rancher for a guard dog?

[@attysthoughts3253]

@@bprint555 he's a big boy. he can pay for his own. he probably pays more yearly on coffe

[@poppinc8145]

Dogs, mules and donkeys can all keep wolves and coyotes away, but these farmers are too lazy for that.

[@romaynecarlin1249]

as a colorado resident who voted to reintroduce the wolf here, examining the good and bad is very important. yes, there will be livestock kills and there are also ways to reduce/negate that. the wolf is not the bad guy here. the exorbitant urban growth with no thought of the natural inhabitants is to blame.

[@galepatrick1702]

absolutely right-

[@Trihard_7]

💯

[@johnbrattan9341]

Romayne Carlin. Yes. Simple solution....quit eating beef. Or so much of it, for the average American. When this "cattle farmer" operates on 1200 acres standing in CO "pastureland" that's been denuded of even a blade of green, and delivers grain grown elsewhere via truck and trailor.....well that explains it all. Sickening.

[@reese-em9wk]

CO resident here. I also voted for reintroduction. Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and other wild spaces are getting trashed by city folk and transplants. Reintroduction of wolf packs should keep the amateurs at home. You're a fool not to carry a rifle on the high country trails in the western states going forward. Hopefully this will bring traffic down.

[@galepatrick1702]

Helen Thayer's book is a great read about wolves in the wild -

[@JakeLuke308]

There are dog breeds that are specialists at protecting livestock from predators, wolves and cougars. Farmers and ranchers in Italy have been living with wolves forever and it works just fine.

[@markw999]

Uhhhh, no. These are Canadian Gray Wolves - upwards of 200 pounds for large males. Also stronger pound for pound than any domestic dog breed. Even the big Anatolian breeds don't stand a chance.

[@sweettaterpie7009]

@@markw999 The dogs scare them away.

[@hwy1310]

Wolves eat dogs

[@jessematheny3636]

@@markw999 Nepal has the biggest wolves on the planet some videos are scary but it seems like the kengal I believe is the dog name does a good job of protecting from those massive wolves

[@CarShopping101]

@@markw999 Wrong. Obv you need more than just 1 or 2 dogs to scare away a wolf pack but 4 or 5 Anatolian Shepherds or Kangals will def scare away a wolf pack. Wolves will always choose the easiest prey and its not worth it to them to risk injury fighting four or five 150 lb dogs. Most male wolves are in the 160 lb range.

[@BeefyGordita]

I’ve lived in the Colorado Rockies my whole life and solo backpack regularly, and can tell you first hand that wolves have been “back” in Colorado for several years. Part of the state voting yes to reintroduce wolves, includes the allocation of funds to both monitor those wolf populations, as well as set up programs to reimburse farmers and blunt the wolf’s negative impacts during the transition. The point is, even if Colorado voted no, the wolves were already coming south naturally as the wolf population grows and new food sources were needed, so at least now there are funds and oversight to help “curate” the populations. All of that said, this conversation often skips over the benefits the wolves bring to an ecosystem, particularly one like Colorado with over an population of both deer and elk, which has detrimental effects of forest health and erosion. After a few years of wolf predation, a more manageable deer population will be unable to eat the majority of aspen saplings and our famous aspen groves will once again grow.

[@larryborn1082]

Over population of deer? Do you have any grasp on the historic mule deer population trends? Aspen groves are EVERYWHERE, including my back yard and all over GMU 26 where I spend my outdoor back coutry time.

[@bryanluntz1603]

Absolutely Yellowstone has a 50+yr history of the downside of extermination of the wolf The upside far outways The negative effects of re introduction And back to the reason The unbalanced nature of Human Encroachment

[@bryanluntz1603]

@@larryborn1082 How many are hit in the roadway each year I used to put a bunch of Colorado miles on a truck every year Those accidents are everywhere Re introduction "may" lessen those negative human interactions

[@jacbear6658]

@@bryanluntz1603 I remember going to utah when i was young and there had been entire herd that was plowed through

[@bryanluntz1603]

@@jacbear6658 Hunted Meeker Colorado years ago with some friends Saw more dead on the road then harvested We hunted private property

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’m a railroader and saw my first wolf near Granby (Frasier Canyon) a few weeks ago. “Whoa, that’s a massive coyote!” Then he stopped and watched the train go and both of us in the cab said, “That’s a wolf, right?” I wish we had footage, but it was grey blue in color with long legs. Bigger than a husky or malamute so I’m pretty confident. We see a lot of awesome animals (lions, bears, lynx, bald eagles, moose, elk, ringtails), but I’m not going to lie, wolves make me slightly nervous to walk a train through 3ft of snow at night. I also believe we still occasionally get a Grizzly or two in Colorado, but that’s a debate I want to prove with video. Edit: “lions” means mountain lions. My channel is called Colorado Mallcrawlers not African Mallcrawlers lol 😉

[@coleholloway2523]

Absolute no grizzley I’m colorado! Need to see it to believe it !!! But if that was a wolf that is crazy dude. There is a few near Walden in a pack that goes in and out of colorado and Wyoming

[@Kiraiko44]

Bears and cougars are WAY more likely to attack you than a wolf. There have been only 2 recorded fatal and 22 nonfatal wolf attacks in North America in the last century. Cougar and grizzly attacks are also pretty rare, but there's been way more of them. 126 attacks, 27 fatalities for cougars, and 158 fatal grizzly bear attacks, I couldn't find a record of how many nonfatal attacks but they're more common so over 150 for sure.

[@Saps_bigbaits]

Some guy hS a video of a grizzly he saw in Colorado a few years ago

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@coleholloway2523 I have good intel that isn’t true… everyone acts like Colorado is so developed that there’s no way. However, a Grizz doesn’t see Colorado and say, “oh no, I can’t go in there.” Yes, I know they don’t travel like wolves do, but I find this argument surprising. I have a zoology degree, but apparently so does everyone else.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@Kiraiko44 I know, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be nervous when I’m dredging slowly through 3 feet of snow, with absolute silence, and fresh cat (or wolf) tracks in the snow. We’ve had cats not back down from conductors and these are wild animals who might be hungry or irritated by my presence in their territory.

[@brqxton8974]

As a Midwesterner, the decline of native wolf populations has caused raccoon and deer populations to get way out of control(coyotes see cow calves as easier targets and barely go after adult deer anymore)

[@rack9458]

What area in the Midwest have deer populations gotten out of control?

[@brqxton8974]

@@rack9458 multiple Midwestern states have had to pay hunters to manage the population

[@rack9458]

@@brqxton8974 The only time they pay to take out deer is due to deer in urban areas. Wolves do not live in urban areas

[@brqxton8974]

@@rack9458 it has nothing to do with where the deer are

[@kristenkaz3080]

Yup. Well said. I’m a horse owner & regularly have issues with coyotes pushing my horses thru the fence line. It’s a real problem.

[@ncubesays]

As a Zimbabwean who lives near a wildlife rich area, what I find interesting in this report is the empathy shown towards the ranchers. It's rare for Western media to afford the same attitude when discussing human elephant conflict in my local area.

[@Reed411]

The Cattleman's Association, The Elk Foundation and Hunters for Colorado are powerful interest groups with a lot of money... the argument is usually skewed to reflect their concerns and one of the reasons it's taken so long for this to pass... Classic USA

[@e.t.2914]

@@Reed411 Considering what percentage of us jobs are restaurant based, and what percentage of those jobs rely on beef as a product, I would say its definitely fair to pay attention to what the suppliers of your product are asking for in order to provide you with said product.

[@e.t.2914]

Western media isn't run by farmers and ranchers, its run by out of touch urbanites whose greatest understanding of nature is a potted succulent on their kitchen table. Plenty of westerners agree farmers should be able to protect their livelihoods, its just that those aren't the type of people that make mass media.

[@Reed411]

@@e.t.2914 I agree! But it appears the entire anti-wolf side of the argument is completely unwilling to look at, or even acknowledge the studies done by the USDA, USFWS and the CPW along with other organizations who are involved in the reintroduction of wolves to the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Idaho, Montana, Wyoming collectively rear far more cattle then Colorado does, and they have had healthy wolves populations for years. In that time have we seen the cost of beef rise? Outside of inflation, no, not due to wolves. The research that has been done suggest that less than one 1% of all cattle mortality is due to wolves in those states. That’s basically nominal. Study after study suggests that the benefits outweigh the liability. But fear and LOUD VOICES often out way the facts unfortunately…

[@poppinc8145]

Yep, weirdos on the internet literally call for poachers to be murdered and they're cartoonishly dehumanized, while ignoring that it's poverty that drives people to poach, just like how it's poverty and persecution that drives people in African towards insurgency and warlords. There's also little to no coverage inside and outside Africa of places like the DR Congo where government rangers (who receive foreign aid) are actively massacring and ethnically-cleansing poor tribes people who happen to live in or near nature reserves. Furthermore, there's very little active discussion in African and Western media alike about how it's China that disproportionately drives the demand for illegal ivory and body parts that causes the poaching. Instead of blaming the root cause, people are blaming the middlemen instead.

[@oldmanrunsandrides7680]

The pros far outweigh the cons of having wolves back in their old historic territories.

[@buck4490]

The "cons" are paid by the very few.

[@lawabidingcitizen6377]

Buy shares in snare wire.

[@jamesroof6150]

Wolves were reintroduced in 1995 in Yellowstone NP AND Bitterroot/Selway Wilderness in Idaho. Not just Yellowstone NP.

[@jerrywhitejr5292]

Moved into ID on their own... Same in Washington - they came out of Canada. It is all happening regardless of human tinkering.

[@kevinohara4778]

​@@jerrywhitejr5292not true. They were introduced in 1995 near Big Creek.

[@ltdc426]

And while I know a lot of people in Idaho I don’t know ANY who are happy about it.

[@dreamparkms]

The wolves have done a lot of damage to our wildlife populations in North Idaho. Fish and Game destroys everything they touch! They ruined all of our fisheries with their Mysis shrimp too.

[@twostop6895]

@@kevinohara4778 get your boogeyman nonsense out of here, the 1st wolves entered Montana in 1979 from Canada and denned in Glacier National park, some of the wolves were natural migrators from BC and Alberta

[@deanfirnatine7814]

My family ranches in Oregon, the boost in the wolf population has had zero effect on us, yes we have had wolves on the property, but we have VERY high deer, turkey and elk populations for them to eat. Our cattle have horns and are a larger breed, the wolves do not seem to bother them and we keep a substantial pack of very large dogs that seem to scare them off. I strongly suspect some ranchers are lying about wolf losses, none of the people responsible about writing reimbursement checks seem to check too much into it so there is less screaming by the ranching community also coyote predator losses seem to get blamed on wolves as well, so far the wolf population sadly has made a minimal dent in the coyote population around here which seems to be afraid of nothing, their packs use females to try to sucker our dogs off to be attacked. Maybe the coyotes will go away when the wolf pack around here gets bigger. I always found it odd fellow ranchers make such a giant stink over wolves like the world is ending yet just deal with the huge livestock losses from coyotes like it is no big deal.

[@derekyonekura5509]

You must not live in Fort Klamath, Oregon

[@thaddeust.thirdiii736]

Give it time. Wolves get more populated and start going for the bigger animals first, like Moose & elk. Then they move on to deer and livestock

[@sander2723]

The dogs dont really scare the wolves off. The wolves just decided the risk and effort aren’t worth the reward and choose fir easier loot.

[@MarioRomero-cc4oj]

Ted Turner has tried to get wolves introduced to northern New Mexico , red tape and lack of interest has not had that happen , but many people have claimed to see them near his Vermejo property !

[@JubioHDX]

@@sander2723 which is all you need, dogs dont need to actually fight the wolves and win (though they definitely could. people forget we have bred domestic dogs to 1v1 fighting bulls in their prime and there are many breeds that are similar in size to wolves) and we have bred dogs to be MUCH more bolder than wolves are. As long as they realize a dog is willing to fight they wont hunt there because the injury isnt worth it to an animal that isnt conditioned to disregard that because it has humans to aid it

[@jujitsujew23]

That rancher's problem isn't wolves, it's that he's working alone. No guard dogs, no other ranch hands...

[@jamesjohnson-rr9gp]

Guard dogs cant deal with northern ontario grey wolves.

[@jujitsujew23]

@@jamesjohnson-rr9gp what do you mean by deal with? Their job isn't to fight them...Pyrenean mountain dog protect cows from wolves in Europe. They weigh as much as a wolf and when a few of them start barking wolves back off. There are other breeds too

[@tman8939]

this rancher has lost his dogs to the wolves already, why is it an issue working alone and by the way he does not work alone.

[@JubioHDX]

@@jamesjohnson-rr9gp yes they can, do, and will. domestic dogs are much bolder than wolves as a part of the breeding we did, an equal sized dog will always win the intimidation battle against a wolf, and not even a pack of 3-6 wolves will want to fight 3-4 large dogs that dont back down

[@jujitsujew23]

@@tman8939 where is your evidence he's lost dogs and does not work alone?

[@krysatheo]

It may not always be easy, but we should make sure there are wild spaces for wolves to a reasonable degree within their historic habitat. They are very important species as well as being amazing creatures in their own right, they were here long before us and we need to share this massive country.

[@kwyatt261]

Do you live in a city or out in the country?

[@robertjimenez1611]

No

[@hyenaboy7504]

@@kwyatt261Not sure what your point is

[@billwesner6351]

In wolves historic habitat, it was also inhabited buy BISON. You now introduce the predator and give it no prey. Think it will wait till bison come back or will it eat cats, dogs, cattle ,sheep and maybe people. Yea, This was thought out real well !!!!!!

[@onthelineoutdoors6974]

@@hyenaboy7504 his point is that people that live in the city have no clue about the damage that wolves do

[@culbinator]

Ranchers need to get protective dog breeds. I know it’s a new normal to deal with but we can have a world with both cattle ranching and wolves.

[@CarShopping101]

I have yet to see any ranchers in any of these stories get a pack of large livestock guardian dogs and of course they complain and complain without taking the action to protect their herd.

[@skyforgerpack3645]

@@MrJav1986 No, they really haven't

[@jancyvargheese5351]

@@MrJav1986 big guard dogs in numbers will never be attacked by wolves or other predators. These big Anatolian sheep dogs, kangals, Tibetan mastiffs will protect cattle easily

[@culbinator]

@@MrJav1986 that’s an amateur response. yes I’m sure some have been killed but most of them aren’t killed.

[@MrJav1986]

@@culbinator Its far from amateur, Google is a supper easy resource that anyone can use. I just watched a news article a few days ago of some guard dogs being killed in N Colorado from wolves.

[@thechickenwizard8172]

Here's the solution to the predator conflict issue: 1: raise bison instead of cows, they're tougher and less vulnerable than cattle to predation, not to mention healthier to eat. 2: use guard dogs bred to protect livestock, or better yet get some donkeys for your herd. We need more predators to keep our ecosystems stable, and coexistence is an important issue for us all to overcome

[@dynamoterror18]

I remember seeing my first ever wolf in the wild at Denali National Park. They're so underpopulated there that the chances of seeing one on my first bus tour in the park was one to nearly a million.

[@MROJPC]

It is hard to define underpopulated. I lived in Alaska for many years, still own a home in the MatSu, and plan to return for good in a few years. Animal populations and diversity in environments like Alaska is sometimes more limited because the landscape cannot sustain higher densities. It’s a post-glacial landscape that is in a sense recovering biodiversity but also has other limitations. There are examples of enormous herds like caribou in the state but nothing like what you would see in Africa. Denali is also removed from the ocean linked waterways that act as highways bringing nutrients from the ocean in the form of the big salmon runs. I am definitely not an expert but just expressing what I have heard from talking to some of them. As far as the wolves go, their numbers will fluctuate depending on the prey population and there are more numerous wolf areas but they hunt off the much larger caribou herds which number in tens or hundreds of thousands. The Denali herd is a few thousand.

[@user-yn5kb7ep2l]

Who cares is a friggin wild dog... big deal!

[@dynamoterror18]

@@MROJPC You do have a fair point, it's just I remember hearing Denali once had as many as a hundred wolves living in the park, which was a reasonably healthy population. Today, last I heard there are roughly 30 left in Denali.

[@davestagner]

Ranchers who lose livestock to wolves should be reimbursed for their losses. It seems like a reasonable expense to me. But as a bigger and better thing… let’s stop leasing public land to ranchers. Let’s give it back to the wolves.

[@jamesduck926]

We have as much right here as any animal. You ever leave the sidewalk?

[@lauracollins5172]

You are right on. Ranchers need to quit the free.ranging of cattle. It is destroying our Federal lands, the "People's " lands. Ranchers are paying pennies on the dollar. The general public is getting fleeced by ranchers. Smart ranching is making a comeback. The federal government needs to put their foot down on the ranchers destroying public lands

[@lauracollins5172]

​@jamesduck926 No you don't

[@jengordon1501]

​@@jamesduck926no you really don't. Stop being cheap and buy you're own land

[@Mace-cq9lo]

@@jamesduck926Except we only take from the earth. We shouldn’t dictate nature. If we actually cared about the environment we wouldn’t be killing everything we think is bad.

[@manifestdestiny1191]

We need to look at Europe and how they've been able to mitigate human-predator conflict in recent decades with their wolf reintroduction programs. They've incentivized the use of livestock guardian dogs for ranchers and it's proved a great success with far less livestock and wolves being killed. It's even worked in Canada in some areas where huge wolf packs and grizzly bears still roam.

[@mtadams2009]

I was hiking the Long Trail in Vermont and the trail ran through a chicken farmers field. There was four of the biggest most fearsome dogs I have ever seen. I actually think even a wolf would go the other way. I think they were Great Pyrenean Mountain Dogs and they were at least 150 pounds each. They took protecting their chickens very seriously.

[@d.b.2215]

It depends on what European country. Some like Germany are dealing with what little wildlife they have very poorly. You can't talk about "Europe" as a whole. Typical American mistake.

[@G53X0Y0Z0]

Yeah, like reintroduce Covid-19 and see if we can mitigate it. Or, not reintroduce it, and save a lot of work dealing with it. Wolves just aren't worth the cost.

[@Wildstag]

A further issue is that livestock that die to disease, starvation, injury, or dehydration are taken on as losses by ranchers. But livestock that die to predators can be reimbursed by the government. But also to justify that report, a predator needs to die. So a lot of reintroduction efforts run into archaic laws and regulations that incentivize killing predators and encourage ill will towards them. P.S. Also all that's needed to justify predation is evidence of consumption by predators. But wolves will also eat carrion, so if the cow dies from exposure to cold, but a wolf eats of its dead body, it can be reported as predation, and the rancher gets kickbacks.

[@nkoistrash]

Livestock guardian dogs/ animals also significantly reduce herd stress. So better product gets produced due to the guardian animals creating a safer and low stress environment. And they are very efficient with keeping predators at bay.

[@thomashiggins9320]

I like the idea of using dogs to keep the wolves away from livestock; also, hazing, as long as it doesn't injure the wolves. That said, Colorado is only used for grazing because so much open land existed for so long. Most of the pasture land, here, consists of short-grass prairie that actually rates as lousy for grazing. It takes more than 13 acres, here, to feed a cow with a nursing calf (a "cattle-unit"). By contrast, in most of the humid, tall-grass prairie of the Midwest, or the rainy meadows of the Old South, it takes less than a third of that land to graze. Up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, not only does a cattle-unit need only about 3.5 acres (as compared to Colorado's 13 or more), the grass stays green for 10 months a year. In that part of Colorado, Gittleson probably sees winters that last 5 months. (The realities of agriculture economics would have been good to include in such a story, but television "news" has always been long on evocation of emotion and short on presentation of boring stuff such as *facts* ... 🙄) Still, that raises the question: Do we support a way of life that has existed for more than 150 years, in Colorado, even though the land has never been well-suited for it? Or do we return more of the territory to its natural state, knowing that other parts of the country can easily make up for any lost production, here, with land that's actually *better* for the job? For ranchers, the answer is easy -- but then, they have a vested interest. For the rest of us without a vested interest, not so much. In Colorado, we expressed our preferences for "not so much" directly, with the vote on the ballot measure.

[@wcb5890]

nobody uses "cattle-unit" the correct use is AU as in (Animal Unit) or AUM (Animal Unit Month) when figuring out grazing allotments. Also, in whole there should be no ballet box wildlife management. Especially ones that do not include proven management practices like hunting and trapping. You really think getting rid of ranching and not somewhat supporting it is the answer? You think that land is just going to go back to its natural state? Ranchers go out of business and leave more land gets developed for idiots like the ones that voted for the reintroduction and people who use Cattle Units as a measurement.

[@Liberals.suck303]

Thomas- your comments show me you know absolutely nothing about wolves, ranching and their way of life. The fact you think dogs and hazing will work is absurd and you may want to look into why a little more. Destroying ranching for a animal that never existed in the lower 48 is even more crazy. WBC below nails it on the head. This is why you don't let ppl like you vote on this. Why do think the fish and game from Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Minnesota Wisconsin and the Dakotas told us not to do it?!? I get that they might help the eco system, but the negatives of wolves don't even come close to the positives. also If the issues are what they say, they are. why are they not going dead smack in the middle of rocky mountain national park? If you don't have to deal with the wolves , you should have no say.

[@evalynmachia182]

While cattle might appear to be easier prey than elk or deer, ranchers have the ability to build fences or raise guard dogs to help protect their livestock. Preventive measures like this is should encourage the wolves to stick to their natural diets.

[@rack9458]

Fences and guard dogs don't keep cattle safe on 1000 acre ranches! Keep shooting wolves!

[@dhand34]

Too many are on public land. They get to run livestock on it for pennies on the dollar. I’m much more sympathetic to the small rancher on his own land

[@Saxxin1]

@@dhand34 Do you complain when you eat? You so called good doers have zero incite on how the world works. Just how high do you want food prices to be before you get it?

[@dhand34]

@@Saxxin1 western ranching accounts for only about 2-3% of meat output in the US. It’s a crappy business model that relies on tax payers to keep it afloat, aka socialism. If it went away, nobody would miss it

[@dt3675]

You have no idea what you're talking about.It is a rare species of herd dog that can take on one wolf much less a pack of them. You can not babysit cattle 24/7.

[@robertscheinost179]

For 1,200 acres, 4 livestock guard dogs will keep the wolves looking for a better place to find food. Bringing your pregnant cows into a calving area will also help. You will take a loss here and there but let the dogs do the work. The State should provide the dogs to the ranchers, along with vet care for the dogs. The cattle losses will drop 90%. It should have been in the legislation that brought the wolves back.

[@elrobo3568]

If you want to read a great book about Boulder Colorado and the effort to attract the deer to the park areas of Boulder that backfired with multiple deaths of humans. Read "the beast in the garden" by David Baron.

[@_Chessa_]

Thank you for this recommendation

[@h8marxists663]

Human deaths in Boulder? That’s a win win.

[@dhand34]

@@h8marxists663 not like it would be in Rifle

[@the_boonies]

Yes! The ONLY book I've read cover to cover in one sitting 👌 And since that day in 2012 I've had 2x lion encounters, one of which was on NYD in RMNP face to face at 30yds before dawn while hiking for sunrise. Pretty cool experience. But now we venture out with 1000 lumen flashlights and ultrasonic dog deterrents 😊

[@mtadams2009]

I truly can see both sides and I feel bad for the ranchers. That all said how many people have had their cars totaled from hitting a deer or moose? How many people have lost their pets to various animals. Wolfs are part of the food chain and they keep things in check. I was hiking the Long Trail in Vermont and the trail ran through the farmers field. His chickens were guarded by four of the biggest baddest dogs I had ever seen. They were Great Pyrenean Mountain Dogs and they weighed at least 150 pounds and they took guarding those chickens very seriously. There are options, maybe not perfect but nothing in life is.

[@kwyatt261]

Do you live in a city or out in the country?

[@mtadams2009]

@@kwyatt261 Country

[@moth300]

​@@kwyatt261 you really tried.

[@Ethan-um7cp]

3 Great Pyrenese on that dudes tiny plot would be very effective. I have family with 8000 acres, and predatory kills are insignificant with 5 LGDs.

[@Greenpeppersandeggs]

Pin this comment!

[@dt3675]

Nope, a Great Pyrenees is no match.

[@gabrielford3473]

Thank you for this!!!!

[@gabrielford3473]

@@dt3675 Soooooo, how is it that it's working on his acerage?

[@CarShopping101]

@@dt3675 Perfect example of stupidity in action. The guy literally just said that his 5 dogs are working on 8000 acres. But that doesn't fit your narrative so you just spew nonsense.

[@NewEnglandGaming413]

The wolves are a keystone species. Better for the environment overall that they be there than not.

[@jessmerrithew3897]

Says who? You can't even draw a nonresident tag to hunt any of the western states that have wolves these days. So don't tell me the deer and elk are over populated because that is BS. But more states are reintroducing wolves? Why? So there is no more deer or elk to hunt? The deer and elk are a public resource per the constitution. What gives the wolf the right to wipe them out? Seams like just another tactic to eliminate a justifiable food source. And for this so called reintroduction of the grey wolf. This is a hybrid wolf that is almost twice the size. Why is this hybrid protected by law?

[@strutstopper45]

How is that ? Making every animal in their habitats live in stress !!! Wolves not only put stress on deer and elk but every living creature out there

[@dhand34]

Gittleson has been losing livestock to coyotes, bears etc because he lets his cows give birth all over the place instead of bringing them in. Several of his wolf claims turned out to be coyotes not wolves. He should be great full for all the volunteers who helped him get deterrents. He’s better off now. He’s not even a full time rancher. He has a day job in town.

[@buck4490]

Attacking this man's character doesn't make your argument any more convincing. It does, however bring yours into question.

[@dhand34]

@@buck4490 These are just the facts of the situation. You can judge the character yourself.

[@buck4490]

@@dhand34 I can easily judge yours. Without sources backing up your "facts" you are engaging in gossip and that my friend is a low character activity. You can come in a place like this and say anything you want. You have been challenged to back up your claims.

[@dhand34]

@@buck4490 not gossip, i know people who were out there and saw for themselves, plus the news media did plenty of articles on it. Try again Also he was discussed in some of the SAG meetings I attended

[@gabrielford3473]

@@buck4490 He brings up solid facts that definitely bring the man's character into question as it would appear, if the claims are true, that he has intentionally misrepresented the details of his loss, and in fact seems to be inviting it to further controversy. The rancher, in that case, would have no character to be worth discussing. In Montana I've seen this exact same behavior.

[@YellowRambler]

The best way to think about a wolf is when you compare it to a domesticated dog who’s been bread to maintain the puppy mental state of mind even in adulthood, however a wolf achieves full K9 adulthood if they don’t die First.

[@_Chessa_]

I’m like the domesticated dog. Still a child in mind with an adult body. XD lol

[@curth.1500]

You sound like a true expert! Fascinating insight!

[@YellowRambler]

@@curth.1500 Definitely no expert, just some hearsay that rang true for me, it help me understand my old dog back in the 70s, who look like a short hair version of the thumbnail image, he was supposed to be half and half, he gave the vet quite a fright when he saw him.

[@rcpmac]

I get what you mean but disagree with the characterization that domesticated k9s are less developed and somehow stuck in the puppy stage. I would argue that they are more developed with a different skill set that insures their survival. My Great Pyrenees has the instinct to dig out a spot under some brush and sleep there while we are tenting in the cascade mts but she gets meals and shelter from me in exchange for “protecting” my family. She knows that. If you ever encounter hearding breeds in their work environment you will clearly understand that there is serious skill and dedication there.

[@JohnSmith-lg2ie]

​@@rcpmac As someone who has worked with dogs and studied wolf behavior as well for many years, I certainly agree with you. Dogs who have a job to do certainly become adult canines and take their job very seriously. And most dogs who are not given a job to do try to create one for themselves. Also wolves are far less dangerous to humans than most realize. They avoid people and most run away when they see or smell a human. Ranchers who are not used to having wolves around need to learn how to ward them off. It's just more work they are not used to, but wolves will learn to avoid well protected livestock. If they are put down they don't learn, they are just replaced.

[@roefamily]

It is a loose loose...who paid the rancher for the losses...government did NOT...the money comes from hunting and fishing license fees....then the numbers of elk will be decimated thus reducing the number of hunters and thereby money (from license fees)....These license fee monies help ALL wild animals/fish...ALL. So loose as money diverted from wild animals to ranchers and less hunting license fees.

[@obiwan2112]

Denver voted heavily in favor of wolf reintroduction while areas that actually got them were opposed. Shouldn't the wolves have been released in areas that voted for them?

[@utahjizz5015]

Wolves were here before foreign ranchers and cows who are not native to colorado

[@vizzini2510]

@obiwan2112 They could drop a few dozen in Denver and solve the homeless problem lickety split.

[@obiwan2112]

@@vizzini2510 Could the wolves be trained to go after the carjackers?

[@vizzini2510]

@@obiwan2112 Canines are extremely trainable.

[@zenofthemoment]

That’s right there is the real problem. The people that voted for it, don’t experience the consequences of that decision firsthand. Peak NIMBYism on display.

[@yossarianmnichols9641]

The fact that Colorado has massive numbers of elk and deer suggest maybe a few wolves could keep them in check.

[@joesee8079]

If you knew anything about repopulating wolves you would know it's only a few wolves for a very short time. In 10 years they will be everywhere, killing everything around them.

[@JohnSmith-ef2sp]

Besides man, what hunts wolves? Before long there will be a wolf behind every tree.

[@1ACL]

Mountain lions are top, i think. and we dont have too many of them because they are top. So...wolves wont get out of hand..

[@rgt321]

@@1ACL Wolves won't get out of hand? They're already out of hand. So are the grizzlies

[@jamespratt529]

That pack of wolves literally lived off of those cows that winter. They weren’t hunting many wild animals that winter

[@bigtex4058]

Wolves gonna be wolves.

[@gabrielford3473]

And help return the ecosystem to balance. Exactly Tex!!! You got it!!!

[@coondogsoutdooradventures2484]

Now any rural resident knows that the Wolf being reintroduced without predator control is a mistake . The locals should have always had the right to defend their property, especially since they are not fully compensated. Outsiders need to mind their business. We don't tell them how to live .

[@e.c-s8611]

How about using Pyrenees or other dogs or donkeys?

[@CarShopping101]

These ranchers just want the easy way out. I have yet to see one rancher with a pack of large livestock guardian dogs.

[@Nocomment552]

They take a lot of time, effort, and money to raise and train properly. Most ranchers don’t have time or the desire to do it.

[@skyforgerpack3645]

@@Nocomment552 That's not entirely true. Most LGDs are inherently protective of livestock if raised with them, that's why they were selectively bred for the job, same goes for herding dogs naturally wanting to herd, or hunting dogs naturally wanting to hunt. Dogs won't take anymore money and time to raise than a newborn calf would, probably far less. If ranchers don't have the time or especially the desire for such a relatively easy dog, that naturally does it's job, maybe they should find a new occupation.

[@Nocomment552]

@@skyforgerpack3645 I’ve heard and seen differently, but I could definitely be wrong on what the general experience/predisposition is for livestock guardian breeds.

[@skyforgerpack3645]

@@Nocomment552 Perhaps you've met some not very well bred ones, but several lines exist of LGDs where people spend good money for the dogs, because they're good at their job.

[@hans5130]

So many people on the earth is the problem.

[@jercasgav]

Then how do you propose to fix this supposed "problem"??

[@NWard1210]

@@TheKnoxviciousHaving as many kids as we want on a planet with finite resources is a big part of the problem, especially when we’re fighting against nature. The sooner we start working with it, the more sustainable it is for all life, not just us.

[@Reed411]

@@TheKnoxvicious lol this guy's comments are hilarious. Keep posting! Not because they are smart or clever, but because you're making everyone else in the room look like a genius 😂

[@Croakin]

*adds a singular donkey to the herd* *local wolf population dissapears* There are ways to control animals outside of shooting them

[@lisamann8521]

Totally agree

[@seeharvester]

Donkeys? What caliber?

[@harbyarby1347]

The Donkeys are mint! Livestock Guardian Dogs, especially as a group of three or more are profoundly helpful. I had a LGD and she protected against two Bears - we have it on game camera.

[@CarShopping101]

or 4 or 5 Anatolian Shepherds or Kangals. Wolves will not risk serious injury and will look for other prey.

[@Croakin]

@@harbyarby1347 so badass 🤙

[@casienwhey]

Wolves, bison, grizzlies and many other animals were there long before humans came and killed them all. Something to think about.

[@AliceFordAdventures]

Got to love the news playing up the same storyline that led to wolves almost going extinct in the first place

[@AtheisticAtheist]

Ranchers would gladly see them go the way of the Passenger Pigeon.....Extinct.

[@hyenaboy7504]

@@AtheisticAtheistSo, ranchers want the ecosystem destroyed?

[@AtheisticAtheist]

@@hyenaboy7504 I remember watching a video about ranchers reactions to wolves being reintroduced to Yellowstone park, and to say they were not happy is an understatement.

[@hyenaboy7504]

@@AtheisticAtheist Guessing you don’t agree with them?

[@AtheisticAtheist]

@@hyenaboy7504 Wolves were there long before ranchers.

[@Wildstag]

Studies show that wolves learn how to hunt from their mature family. So if the adult wolves in a pack are killed, and the young survive, they only learn how to hunt easy prey. The easiest prey are livestock that have been bred to be docile and raised in environments free of predators. Healthy wolf packs don't hunt livestock, they hunt wild deer, elk, bison, moose, and other prey. Most livestock predation is because ranchers see a wolf, assume it killed one of their livestock, and shoot it; thus leaving the young with only one efficient food source. But also, when livestock is killed by predators, ranchers can get reimbursements from the government. So a lot of livestock are reported as predator-kills rather than deaths by disease, dehydration, or starvation. And to justify the reimbursement, a predator needs to die. If we updated ranching regulations to discourage dishonesty, we'd have less wolf problems. Until that happens, wolf reintroduction will always be on shaky ground. P.S. Also if livestock dies to exposure, disease, dehydration, or starvation, all that is needed to claim it as predation is evidence that its body has been eaten. Wolves will eat carrion, especially in winter. Once it's been eaten, it's hard to determine a specific cause of death. But if ranchers were more honest about *why* their livestock are dying, we'd have fewer dead wolves.

[@katiesalvadore7306]

I remember learning about this in science class in middle school back then. That’s cool to see the long term results.

[@jimmymarsh44]

The reintroduction measure that passed in CO ensures ranchers will get compensated for every cow they lose. Is it a perfect system? No. They have to provide all kinds of proof and the money they get isn't necessarily how much that specific cow may have been worth. But fight for ways to improve that system. Don't fight against the wolves that were here long before you.

[@gabrielford3473]

That's a reasonable comment!!! Cheers and you're exactly right

[@CarShopping101]

Or they could spend less than $10K one time and purchase 4 or 5 large guardian dogs and not have to worry about this but they are too cheap to spend the money.

[@jackpumkinhead9583]

that’s a cowardly response of someone that doesn’t actually have to deal with this problem and at the end of the day the people that actually have to deal with it will deal with it in their own way. Somethings you can’t wait on the lazy long arm of the government because in these wilderness areas, it’s deliberate living they don’t have time for committees out here.

[@grandpaissues4156]

​@@jackpumkinhead9583 Cattle grazing on public lands isn't that independent to this Midwesterner where ranchers own their land. Sign of the times. The hand is out for every public subsidy with no regard for public benefit. Should the government give them dogs AND free grazing?

[@tristancoffin]

​@@jackpumkinhead9583 I would pay for your product at marked up price if you buy dogs and get fences. However if you raise the native bison they tend to faire better against the wolves anyway. Just a thought.

[@rostamr4096]

The solution is easy. The ranchers should get Kangal dogs and lots of them. This way the cattle are protected and wolf can go after elks and cayots...

[@rippindrummer666]

My sister has 4 kangal/Anatolian Shepards, they’re beast dogs but they still don’t match with wolves.

[@CarShopping101]

@@rippindrummer666 Its not about which dog or wolf would win in a fight. Wolves will always go for the easiest prey so they are not interested in fighting four or five 150 lb Kangals and risking serious injury. It's about deterrence.

[@rypatmackrock]

The key to solving this is to understand how domesticated livestock can fit into the natural ecosystem, and possibly involve the historic indigenous tribes with the respect to their history, woven into the history of these ecosystems. That, wildlife corridors, and defensive livestock for ranchers, I hope are all possible tools.

[@kodybracken518]

So my only question is when do we reintroduce grizzly bears across the entire state of California I think it would be amazing to see bears there again , after all they were there first 🤣😂🫵💪

[@ebtcard3037]

I saw a Wolf in Smith Valley Nv a handful of years back he was chasing a Coyote the Coyote was smart he timed it perfectly and ran out in front of the vehicle I was driving causing me to brake the vehicle the Coyote got away and the Wolf had to come to a quick stop or risk getting run over the Wolf was huge and very beautiful grey in color he was we were returning from the Pinenut festival in Schurz Nv to me I took it as a Spiritual Sign and Message

[@Ap_twsh]

The wolf is a good sign when you see them.

[@jimnowak3960]

He got lucky.

[@djcodea]

I believe wolves are a part of Colorado's ecosystem that belong here. I would like to see more highway wildlife crossings under byways , I worked on Mt Massive when I saw my first wolf, couldn't believe it was real and forest service confirmed it.. mountain lions need a lot of range and our valuable predators need to be protected hard core. To be honest, they look tough, but they are the most vulnerable mathematically

[@Kenny-bj2zq]

Lived in Alaska and lived in Texas - If you want to live out in the wilderness then you should not have an issue with wildlife - It's simple if a Wolf Kills your cattle get a check from the State within a month. It's a win win for the wolf and the rancher.............Yeah, I don't live in Colorado but I live in Texas and have cattle I have seen tons of Coyotes and a few Cougars have never lost a cow yet to one of them. And no have never killed one I have shot at the Coyotes as far as the Cougar they so damn beautiful and hardly ever see one in daylight

[@billwesner6351]

Glad we have liberal folks like you to protect the world .@@Kenny-bj2zq

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you fir sharing.

[@markchor]

The entire time the rancher was talking I was just saying to myself, " get dogs, get dogs, get dogs" you need to make the wildlife the easier target than the livestock

[@dalepellerin]

They were here before all of these domesticated animals. Bring them back. Love ‘em

[@joecole7122]

Bears were in LA before humans. Let's bring 'em back.

[@theodorerzepski8491]

A fair presentation of the issues. Thanks

[@sunday8979]

Denver city residents know what’s best for rural ranches

[@Reed411]

Maybe they just don't care. And maybe that's justified given the ranchers... history

[@shoja2009]

wolfs are essential for nature & we must respect this beautiful & highly intelligent animals

[@Saxxin1]

They should be let lose in all democrat cities.

[@on1ytheb3st]

@@Saxxin1 Exactly, they'd have too much of a food source to then turn on the cattle; good thinking!

[@ebtcard3037]

Here's a tip for the ranchers get yourselves a Pyrenees we have one and I have seen him chase off five Coyotes once I was scared and worried about him but he returned safely definitely has balls of steel

[@on1ytheb3st]

@EBT Card Tell us you have no clue without telling us you have no clue. The difference between a pack of coyotes and a pack of Gray Wolves is the ability to bring down an adult Grizz; I'll let you ruminate over which one has that ability with your last two braincells.

[@ebtcard3037]

...yhw swonk doG ylnO

[@skyforgerpack3645]

@@on1ytheb3st You're the one with no clue. You're telling me, the dogs that have been used for hundreds of years, successfully, to scare off predators, can't deal with wolves, even though they do this in several countries? You clearly don't understand the use for LGDs, or why they are even still used to this day.

[@Bakedea87]

​@@on1ytheb3stHow about three packs of coyotes? Or a hundred packs of chihuahuas? Lol

[@Ap_twsh]

The wolves are the best thing to happen. Cattle aren’t natural.

[@bruceevans9664]

I think a few wolves and some bears would be good in central park san francisco and l.a.

[@suzyque1444]

They're not introducing native wolves, but arctic wolves which are not, NOT indigenous to the area. If they want to thin the heards of wild deer and elk, why not lower the price of hunting tags so people can feed their families?

[@hyenaboy7504]

They won't destroy the ecosystem, though.

[@TheCholopolo209]

Where I am from Wolves were wiped out. The last one was killed in 1786. There have been talks about reintroducing them cause we have a massive Deer population problem. The Deers are culled annually, which costs the taxpayer. I do think that if farmers are well compensated or maybe be allowed to defend their land. It would be a good idea.

[@hyenaboy7504]

Would that be the UK, by any chance?

[@TheCholopolo209]

@@hyenaboy7504 it is Ireland actually. You were close though.

[@billwesner6351]

No deer cull has ever cost the public a dime. And i would like to see you prove that deer are a population problem in your area . I call BS !!!!!!!

[@alexh9676]

Bring on the wolves. Ranchers must adapt or fail.

[@joecole7122]

and how are you going to eat.

[@kerryarrant1523]

There is already a Federal Wildlife Program to control predators. Agents are authorized to help ranchers by capturing or killing animals. Wolves are not protected from Federal Agents. Ultimately, ranchers will have to get Bigger Dogs as best protection. Thank you very much.

[@twostop6895]

and there is limits to that

[@twostop6895]

those USDA predator programs have been successfully sued in court and forced to relent in a lot of cases, many want the USDA defunded cause of these programs

[@reedschrichte800]

Public lands ranching in the West accounts for less than 1% of the US beef supply. These ranchers ACT LIKE THEY OWN THE LAND. THEY DO NOT OWN THE LAND!!!

[@Bear-jr3ei]

denver, co , about 8 years ago on I-25

[@ragecave518]

I support reintroduction but there also has to be measures to help out the ranchers with de-predation efforts, whether that’s money for fencing or whatnot.

[@zairaclaine8685]

They can easily get a livestock dog

[@MrTeamBringIt123]

@@zairaclaine8685 a hungry wolf won’t give a crap

[@MercenaryMuse]

Does there actually?

[@Ap_twsh]

Yes but that’s a risk they take and should consider pivoting their business strategy. They should raise more deer and get funds by the government in compensation

[@manifestdestiny1191]

@@zairaclaine8685 they should probably get a few. One is no good vs a pack. But yes, livestock guardian dogs are the answer.

[@btsxanime81]

When you destroy habitat and take away the wolves food, you run into the risk of them going after cattle. Put up fences to keep the cattle from roaming all over. Cattle can also be the cause of overgrazing and erosion issues.

[@bolbyballinger]

Free roaming cattle don't lead to overgrazing and erosion issues. That only happens when you fence them in. Really we should just be using factory farms. Much more space efficient and makes dealing with wolves a lot easier.

[@btsxanime81]

@@bolbyballinger Thanks for clearing that up for me. :) I agree.

[@davidolson8559]

So many ranchers use public land for their profit of raising cattle. It’s public land your using and the public wants wolves. Long live the wolf.

[@jefftrahern616]

You sound just like one of those guys that need to buy a ranch or two so that you can show us all how it's done !

[@stan4now]

Thank you CBS for reporting on this crucial issue to restore wolves and balance out the increase of other wildlife. Ranchers have a right to protect their livestock and need to be allowed to do so.

[@Amidat]

livestock guardian dogs existed for centuries to keep wolves away from cattle... then humans thought it was easier to just shoot... that ruined the ecosystem.

[@Reed411]

* but should try preventative measures before going to their guns.

[@thuggoe]

why are they standing 10 feet apart

[@bobritchie6720]

So they don't get arrested. Pandemic restrictions are still on for wild animals.

[@bollweevil8112]

How much do people need to sacrifice for farmers growing a product that most doctors are telling us to stop eating? Bison are a more practical option

[@joesee8079]

Except most doctors are not saying that. Has your doctor told you that? I didn't think so.

[@gabrielford3473]

YES YES YES

[@gabrielford3473]

pretty easy to find data supporting his claim. go away and talk to your doctor about better living and a better attitude.

[@robertsmith908]

Wolves in a state with 6 million people and already crowded public lands. What could go wrong?

[@J57133]

No mention at all of how this will effect big game hunting, one of Colorado’s largest industries and most popular activities. Also no mention if the big game populations can support these wolf populations considering they have been impacted severely by human encroachment in the last several decades.

[@kevinkarsnia109]

Do some online research, I suggest the Voyageur's Wolf Project from northern Minnesota, wolves were never wiped out there and they've done extensive studies. Wolves' diets vary drastically depending on the available food and time of year. For example, beaver's and blueberries make up a large part of their diet in northern MN. Deer and moose are harder to take down in the summer time, except for fawns. Hunter's complain sometimes about them chasing deer out of their hunting area but overall I think hunters still do well.

[@gabrielford3473]

In Montana, the Elk population has definitely declined since the reintroduction effort almost 30 years ago. However, the number of elk harvested each year has remained unchanged. It may be more difficult, but the opportunities are still there. As for the commercial aspect, I don't think anyone could honestly make the claim that the industry has suffered and is, in fact, thriving.

[@rosssmith9941]

Coyotes and wolves are so beautiful

[@rack9458]

To a citiot!

[@Greenpeppersandeggs]

@Rack Not everyone is sterotypeable.

[@rack9458]

@@Greenpeppersandeggs Correct, but in looking at where the blind support of reintroducing wolves comes from city dwellers. They don't live in reality of wolves killing livestock, pets, and decimating the moose population. The state of Minnesota has over 3 times the population of wolves than the DNR deemed appropriate levels. Yet they won't allow hunting wolves to bring them back into balance. Wolves are a valuable balancing act of nature but they need management.

[@Greenpeppersandeggs]

Rack I’m just saying there is at least one city dweller who’s experienced what you describe.

[@rosssmith9941]

@@rack9458 I'm going to bring wolves to your property

[@richpaydirt]

Matters regarding wildlife and wildlife management should never be opened to a public vote. The people residing in cities will never have to deal with the problems. Thankfully, I live in a common sense state where wolf hunting is allowed but a liberal state like Washington or Colorado would rather spend millions in taxpayers dollars to reimburse cattle ranchers for dead cows than allow hunting of wolves once their population has skyrocketed.

[@hyenaboy7504]

Pretty sure there are people in cities who understand how nature works, as well.

[@Vernbubba]

Minnesota moose have been nearly eliminated thanks to the wolves. 80 percent of the calves are killed in the first 6 months

[@robertsole9970]

Not true and you know it. The moose population went down due to the brain parasite, that was in the snails that was in the grass the moose eat. Stop lying bro, you got nothing to prove your statement

[@markcrook1292]

The wolves Colorado is going to reintroduce are not the same species that was native to the area and they are not placing them in areas that are over run with elk and deer. Just saying! Colorado has not learned anything from Montana, Idaho or Wyoming about the problems of reintroducing wolves!

[@gabrielford3473]

Think and educate yourself before you speak. It's the exact same species and this tired argument has been settled long ago. Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean your nonsense comes true.

[@matta6395]

I feel for the ppl living in the area where wolves were introduced. Property value definitely declined and lifestyles altered

[@matta6395]

@@mountainstream8351 did you really ask that question?

[@JoeyGarcia914009]

I don't understand why property value would go down. Wolves naturally avoid humans anyways. The only reason it would be a problem is if you own cattle

[@matta6395]

@@mountainstream8351 the demand from ppl willing fully wanting to live in a place with wolves is very low

[@jaycee3434]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@h8marxists663]

That’s just ridiculous. We have tons of bears and Mountain Lions here with no impact on real estate value. What a silly assumption.

[@Dyltheboy]

Wolves are such an important part of the ecosystem

[@wednesday321]

The problem is that not having the wolves makes the rabbits and gophers and deer ruin things. That's why they did this. In the end, it makes more trouble not to have the wolves.

[@keithgreenan638]

They should introduce wolves to Los Angeles and New york.

[@Reed411]

They are trying to re-introduce the red wolf to New York

[@hunterh7026]

Colorado didn't vote for this, boulder and denver did, big difference.

[@lukespack]

I thought Denver and Boulder were still in Colorado?

[@lastcoyote2355]

Rancher welfare…. I use to hunt on lands owned by ranchers and farmers . Just a simple request to the the landowner . Now the landowner…. Ranchers/ farmers ask for $$$$ to hunt , then in turn they get game damage from the government . These same landowners condemn the government… yet have no problem taking money from the government ….

[@johnbrohl1709]

Having same issue in the UP of Michigan with reintroduced of the grey wolf

[@Mace-cq9lo]

We have a huge problem with the amount of whitetails and coyotes. The ecosystem is more important than livestock. If the ecosystem crashes. Everything dies. Even our livestock

[@hotttt28]

Let nature be nature !

[@TheKnoxvicious]

Yes, allow the ranchers to do what nature has allowed them to

[@gabrielford3473]

@@TheKnoxvicious does your head hurt when you try to think?

[@charlessmith4242]

@@gabrielford3473 * What makes you think that man is not part of the ecosystem?

[@Reed411]

@@charlessmith4242 yes, the ecosystem of adults with an average education of a 6th grader.

[@Mace-cq9lo]

@@TheKnoxviciousUse way too much land and expect other animals to not do anything? We aren’t the only ones on earth. We aren’t entitled to anything really.

[@desmeisme]

Why are they taking them from yellow stone and releasing them in Colorado? This is not going to end well. Wolfs are A LOT different than coyotes. It’s not worth it

[@harbyarby1347]

Didn’t you just say you didn’t even know there were wild Wolves in US? Please do some research before saying not worth it (check out how Aspen trees grow with Wolves vs without, or how healthy prey populations get vs. without, or how raccoons bloom without them, etc.)

[@gabrielford3473]

It's worked in Wisconsin, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, so why won't this end well? And apparently you're unaware of the positive environmental effects associated with wolf reintroduction. They are much different than coyotes and that's the point.

[@65stang98]

sine the elk are so overpopulated in some of these states itd be nice if theyd transport them to states that dont have thema nymore that used to. They recently did it successfuly in kentucky and they are working on it in west virginia as well.

[@danielbethanyweltzin1918]

Elk are not “so overpopulated” in most states. Colorado by far has the largest heard on earth and has made it a great elk hunting opportunity state (not for long…). Also, they actually have been doing that in quite a few states-Kentucky, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, etc.

[@JubioHDX]

@@danielbethanyweltzin1918 the reason theyve been high opportunity states for elk is because they are overpopulated lol... they dont let you hunt animals that arent still in growing populations otherwise there would be rather slim pickings very shortly

[@danielbethanyweltzin1918]

@@JubioHDX yes, I’m an avid whitetail, elk & Turkey hunter, so I realize that lol I’d rather there be an abundance of elk vs less or vs an abundance of wolves. If the last 20 years have taught us anything it’s that wolf populations can spiral out of control quickly (look at WI, MN, upper peninsula MI, MT, WY, and ID)

[@OutdoorTonez]

Yes❤

[@lukasrael1211]

The bill was passed by folks in Denver and along the front range. They won’t ever see the wolves in their backyard, eating their livestock.

[@dhand34]

The wolves won’t read any signs saying stay off the front range.

[@jessicaann7397]

Wolves are so important for our ecosystem. Ranchers get reimbursed. It's a pitty we've taken up so much of their natural habit.

[@ErelasInglor]

Easy for all the voters that live on the front range to say this is a great idea, when they don't have to deal with the wolves being released on a regular basis, nor have to worry about their livestock and extra money to deter/protect them from wolves. Should have let them naturally come into the state like they were doing instead of putting valuable resources toward their reintroduction...money which could have been better off increasing and making better quality habitat for current species struggling in the state, like the Lesser Pinnated Grouse and Sage Grouse. *sigh*

[@KFrost-fx7dt]

North Park is completely overrun with cattle. They're everywhere. I don't know how these ranchers expect the wolves to resist temptation.

[@peterclegg2609]

Wolves have more right to be there than cattle.

[@gabrielford3473]

You think European descendants give a damn about that argument???? 🤣🤣🤣

[@ecburt5046]

It's probably been mentioned, but can ranchers use donkeys, llamas or dogs to protect their herds?? I had a llama for my flock of sheep...worked very well.

[@Ap_twsh]

Ranchers could get paid to raise deer elk or whatever prey the wolves eat, then wolves will go for the deer.

[@bolbyballinger]

Some wolves aren't much bigger than a husky. These are not those wolves. These guys are massive. Basically fluffy Great Danes. They hunt bison and their close relatives in Siberia went after wild horses. The dogs might work due to them having their own pack to fall back on and their ability to maybe be peacebrokers (fellow canids and all). And like I said these are big wolves. You're gonna need big dogs. But the donkeys and llamas are just food that complains.

[@JubioHDX]

@@bolbyballinger wolves are not nearly as bold as dogs are. we assume they are because we are so used to dogs being so fearless to interact with other animals but a wolf will not approach anything that looks like it wants to actually fight back unless its the very last option possible, their hypersociality also leads to them being much more willing to stand their ground and fight something bigger than them (like fight a bull in its prime 1 on 1 and win, which is something people forget domestic dogs do, and a wolf would never dream of taking that risk) a Group of 3-4 Large Guard dogs will scare away any wolf pack it encounters, that fight just isnt worth it to the wolves who dont have humans to return to to get fixed up

[@bighaasfly]

So awkward how they staged the interview with Joanna Lambert 12’ away. That felt weird.

[@Vernbubba]

Say good bye to your deer and elk population. It’ll take about 5-7 years but when you do notice it’s too late

[@cm1642]

Ranchers need to get over it. The environment is more important. There's no reason to let cows roam that far.

[@user-vf3gf4xq3v]

Simple solution. Have activists pay the ranchers FMV for cattle losses caused by the reintroduction so they’re not damaged due their actions. As long as they can be verified as legit wolf kills it’s fair. If the rancher is caught scamming disqualify him entirely from the reimbursement program.

[@dhand34]

It could be headed that way. I commented that an endowment needed to be set but only one person on the SAG knew a thing about setting one up.

[@scottquenstedt1]

Up to $8,000 compensation per cow that gets killed by wolves. Best money you will ever make on a cow.

[@pbpanda1629]

Let them be 🤞🏾

[@peterguercio9504]

I think the reintroduction of wolves to their former range is a good idea, but ranchers should be fully compensated for any and all losses. Like a problem grizzly or black bear any problem wolves should be removed either by relocation first or if they return hunted and killed.

[@xoxo0073]

No….people just need to stop eating so much meat. Bears, jaguars, and wolves have lost 98% of their natural habitat to make more room for cattle. Much of which will end up in your hamburger.

[@johnd1655]

you don't get to destroy nature just because you want a cheeseburger. This is their land just as much as it is ours.

[@scottquenstedt1]

I’d like to hear the compensation value for the dead cows.

[@micheledietrick265]

The ranchers need to get herds of donkeys and large protector dogs to guard their cows.

[@borderterrierpoppyadventures]

Personally, I’m tired of the demands from the ranchers. Predators are needed, every student in my school knows that.

[@gabrielford3473]

People have gotten so used to an out of balance ecosystem, they'll fight to the death for it.

[@will7its]

You have your own school???

[@michaelborn3318]

Maybe the mountain dwellers should vote to reintroduce the grizzly bear to the front range of Colorado. Something isn't right to have non-residents of an area vote to put a large predator in somebody else's backyard.

[@Reed411]

America!! And democracy!! oh except when I don't like it. smh