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Pass Creek Story
Continued...
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| PHOTO:
Sheep Mountain and Pine Creek in February 2008. Ranchers that graze
here on public (federal) lands are charged $1.35 per month for one
cow and her calf, or less than it costs to feed a parakeet for a
month. |
In
February, the Pass Creek wolves were in the East Fork, but had not
depredated on any cattle. Then, IDFG reported that B317's radio collar was
on mortality mode. When IDFG investigated, they found that her collar had
been chewed off by her pack. Soon after, she and another wolf were darted
from a helicopter and fitted with radio collars. (The helicopter was in
the area because it was lethally controlling the nearby Buffalo Ridge
wolves.)
Wolf
managers tried using RAG boxes to scare the wolves away from the East Fork
ranches, where cows and calves were strung over miles and miles of private
land. When a collared wolf approaches the RAG box, it sets off an alarm
with loud sounds and strobe lights.
Spring was a long time coming and snow lingered late in the high country.
In mid-April, B317 made a fatal decision, when she denned above an East
Fork ranch. With young pups, the wolves stayed near the East Fork canyon,
while hundreds of cattle were being turned out onto the BLM East Fork and
Pine Creek allotments.
Pass Creek Story & Photos Continue...
Pass Creek Pack 2005 - 2008
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