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2B Daily News – Saturday, October 27, 2012 Outdoorlife living BY DOUG SMITH Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (MCT) ISLE, Minn. — Farmer Dan Lorentz heard the wolves howling this fall, then found the freshly killed calf. "This is all that's left," he said, pointing to a bone-white rib cage, two legs and some hair from the 700- pound animal killed and consumed in September by wolves in a pasture a stone's throw from his home. Lorentz, 38, doesn't farm in north- ern Minnesota — the state's prime wolf country. He and his wife, Michelle, and three kids live just east of Lake Mille Lacs, less than 100 miles north of the Twin Cities. They've been there 10 years. "It's our first problem with wolves," he said. The deadly cat-and-mouse game between livestock owners trying to raise animals and wolves trying to eat them continues as it has since Euro- peans settled the state. In recent years, more than 100 domestic animals have been killed by wolves annually. And while groups opposing the state's first wolf hunting season beginning Nov. 3, and subsequent hunting and trapping seasons beginning Nov. 24, quarrel with the Department of Natural Resources over the agency's 400-wolf quota, wolves blamed for livestock depredations have been routinely trapped and killed for decades, includ- ing a record 266 so far this year. Evidence: wolf tracks Trapper Dave Hughley, 56, of near- by Onamia was brought in after con- servation officer Scott Fitzgerald determined Lorentz's calf had been killed by wolves. "There were wolf tracks nearby," Fitzgerald said, pointing to paw prints in a small gravel pit not far away. Hughley has been trapping furbear- ers, including coyotes, for 40 years. Only recently was he certified by the state to trap wolves in depredation cases. "Wolves aren't that easy to catch," But maybe not his last. he said. He boils his traps to remove any human scent, and uses rubber gloves to place them. The traps are staked to the ground so a wolf can't run off. The trap jaws are smooth and are meant to grip the animal's foot, not injure it — the same traps used by researchers who radio-collars wolves. Since the wolf was protected by the Endangered Species Act in 1974, fed- eral trappers quietly have been remov- ing problem wolves from farms. But the situation changed this year when the wolf was delisted and the state assumed its management, and also the responsibility of handling the depreda- tion complaints. Now about 80 certified trappers like Hughley have joined the ranks of the dozen federal trappers who still handle most depredation complaints. Of the 266 wolves killed this year because of depredation, federal trappers took 214, state trappers 37 and individuals 15. Eighteen days after Hughley set 10 traps on Lorentz's farm, he caught and then shot a 100-pound male wolf. Later he trapped a female wolf, and he has since removed his traps. He was paid $150 for each by the state. Because wolves were responsible for Lorentz's lost calf, valued at about $1,000, he was compensated by the state Department of Agriculture. For the 2012 fiscal year ending June 30, the department paid a record $154,000 for 111 claims. Impact to wolf population The DNR doesn't believe the killing of up to 700 wolves this year — which would include 400 allotted in the hunting and trapping seasons and those killed in depredation cases — will hurt the wolf population, estimat- A citizen tip about deer poaching turned into a multi-agency operation resulting in the seizure of poached wildlife, drugs and stolen guns and cars. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) operation, which included assistance from U.S. Forest Service officers, California Highway Patrol officers and Lassen County sheriff's deputies, resulted in four arrests. The & Wolves continue to plague Minnesota livestock owners California Outdoors Q&A Statewide! Question: I haven't hunted for pheasant in years but would like to do so and introduce my daughter to the sport. I've heard the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) holds special pheasant hunts for new apprentice and returning hunters and that these hunts are paid for with funds generat- ed by the upland game bird stamps that licensed hunters buy. Can you please provide me some information on this program regarding dates, locations, requirements and how to apply? (James K., Napa) Answer: DFG holds many special hunts throughout the state specifically for apprentice (first-time) hunters, juniors (15 years and under), families, women and those who are mobility-impaired. These include hunts for wild turkey, quail, chuckar, pheasant and wild pigs. Planted pheasant hunts are for apprentice hunters only. Newly certified Hunter Education (HE) grads are especially encouraged to apply because they will be given priority one time only over others applying through regular drawings. Newly certified hunters just have to type their HE cert number into the application and their names are automatically added to the "first hunt" roster. Those names will be drawn first, and based upon their preferences, selected for hunts not yet filled prior to those applying through the regular drawings. All hunts that do not include planted pheasants are for wild bird hunts and are not part of the priority selection with the HE Cert. Special hunts are offered throughout the year. To view the schedule and apply: 1) Lots of Free Youth and Special Hunts Available Carrie Wilson www.dfg.ca.gov/Hunting/ 2) Go to the DFG hunting page at link in the top right corner 3) Create an account (quick and easy!) or log into an MCT photo Dan Lorentz walks by the remains of a cow killed on his farm. ed at 3,000. have no impact ... it's a level of naivete that I find arrogant," said Maureen Hackett, founder of Howling for Wolves, a group that has sued to stop the wolf hunting and trapping season. "They cannot predict, and they are tak- ing a risk they shouldn't be taking." John Hart, 46, wildlife biologist with the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture's Wildlife Services, has been trap- ping Minnesota wolves for 20 years as head of the federal depredation pro- gram. Critics of the hunt disagree. "For them to say this season will "The wolf is highly intelligent and highly adaptive and a survivor," he said. "I know there are some people concerned. But I'm confident the (state) management plan will assure a healthy wolf population in the future." Dan Stark, DNR wolf specialist, agrees. "I don't think we'll see much differ- ence in the wolf population. Our 400- wolf quota (for 6,000 licensed hunters and trappers) takes into consideration the wolves dying from depredation control, poaching and vehicle kills." Removing about 700 wolves would be about 23 percent of the population. Stark said biologists have determined that about 30 percent could be killed without hurting the population. The often-cited 3,000-wolf figure is a wintertime estimate, said Stark. The wolf population is continually chang- ing over the year, he said, adding that the population may jump to 5,000 in the spring when pups are born. "Then it declines throughout the year because of mortality factors," he said. Wolves killed to control depreda- tions, and those killed by hunters and trappers in the controversial new sea- son, will include wolves that would have died from other causes, Stark said — a concept known to biologists as compensatory mortality. operation began Oct. 21 when DFG wardens received confidential infor- mation from a citizen and responded to the home of Charles Roger Godkin, 44, of Chilcoot, to investigate suspected deer poaching. Lassen County Warden Nick Buckler and Plumas County Warden Steve Ulrich learned that Godkin had an active arrest warrant for a prior criminal offense. works, or hunting works. There's sup- posedly 265,000 cattle in the wolf range, and they lose 90 to wolves," she said. "That's not very many." But, said Stark: "The hunting sea- "The population is based on repro- duction and mortality, not just mortali- ty," Stark said. Other wolves will fill the population gap left by those that are killed, he said. Hunt won't affect complaints Hackett counters that the killing of more than 260 wolves this year for the loss of 90 to 100 cattle and sheep is an overreaction. "There is no evidence lethal control Click the "Online Application for Special Hunts" existing account 4) Click the "View Available Hunts" link at the bottom of the next page. 5) A display of all hunts available around the state will pop up, along with the dates, requirements, contact num- bers and information about each hunt. 6) Then select the type of hunt you're interested in. 7) which hunt(s) they were successfully selected for. If an applicant hasn't already purchased their license, which is a requirement to apply, it will take 24 hours to be entered into DFG's licensing system so it can be verified through the drawing application. Applicants will be notified shortly by e-mail of These special hunts are some of the best opportunities out there to help encourage and support new hunters, women hunters and those who are mobility-impaired. And they are all funded by hunters for hunters. Don't miss out! Are crab snares legal? Question: I am looking forward to doing some crabbing son wasn't intended to reduce depreda- tion conflicts." That could change in the future if the DNR increases wolf harvest quotas in problem areas, he said. this year. I have a seven loop crab snare but a bait and tackle shop owner told me it was completely illegal to use. Is this true? If so, why? Also, will I need a fishing license to take crabs? (Jeremy H.) Answer: Crab loop traps (often sold as "crab snares") are Hackett agrees farmers should be paid for their losses and should per- haps be allotted a "cost-of-business" payment for operating in wolf country. But she said they also should be encouraged to use nonlethal methods to reduce depredation, including guard dogs, electric fencing, noise devices or flashing lights. "They'd rather just kill wolves," she said. She believes the hunting and trap- ping season will disrupt packs and could actually exacerbate wolf-live- stock conflicts. Waiting — for wolves Back at Lorentz's farm, he acknowledged that raising livestock in wolf country carries some risk. "But I expect them deep in the woods, I don't expect them out back of the barn," he said. wants the wolves around. There's get- ting to be too many." He was pleased Hughley trapped "You talk to people here — no one two from his place, but he has no delu- sions he's seen the last of them. "I'm glad they're gone," Lorentz said. "But I know there'll be more." Wardens arrest four in Lassen and Plumas counties poaching investigation Upon arrival at his property, they discovered two stolen vehicles. The wardens post- poned their investigation to get a search warrant for other buildings on the prop- erty. Wardens visited a neighboring property and interviewed Walter Charles Humbert, 57, and Nathan Reid Kerkes, 54, both of Chilcoot, about the case. They were found in posses- sion of freshly butchered deer meat and more than six pounds of processed mari- juana. Turn In Poachers and Pol- luters) generated this case. CalTIP is a confidential wit- ness program that encour- ages the public to provide DFG with information lead- ing to the arrest of poachers and polluters. The tip line is 888-DFG-CALTIP (888 334-2258). A CalTIP (Californians legal, but no more than six loops are allowed (California Code of Regulations Title 13, section 29.80(d)). Valid sport fishing licenses are required to take crab, unless you are fish- ing from a public fishing pier (as defined by CCR Title 14, section 1.88). Two shotguns with separate shells? Question: I was just reading this weeks' Q & As (which I really enjoy!) and Terri S. asked whether one could have shotgun shells to hunt wild pigs while hunting turkeys. You stated that, "the hunters may not possess a shotgun slug while turkey hunting." You also stated that "Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB, except that shot size larger than No. 2 may not be used or possessed when taking wild turkey." For clarification could they have two shotguns with sepa- rate shells if they were in possession of a pig tag? What is the law on carrying different kinds of firearms when attempting to hunt different kinds of game? (Cristen L.) Answer: You can carry more than one gun when hunting different types of game. However, you cannot possess certain types of ammunition while hunting certain species. For example, while hunting turkey you may not possess any- thing larger than #2 shot, and while hunting waterfowl you may not possess lead. In both of these cases, your second gun cannot have anything illegal to possess. So it is legal to carry two guns, but neither gun may have ammunition that is illegal for any species you are hunting. hunting licenses? Question: I am in the U.S. Navy stationed at Camp Pendleton and want to hunt and fish while I am here. Do you have special licenses for active duty military? (Timothy T., Camp Pendleton) Answer: Active duty military may purchase resident Military fishing and fishing and hunting licenses while stationed in California. We do not currently offer special military licenses. Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. While she cannot personally answer everyone's questions, she will select a few to answer each week. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.