Wolf opponents circle at Okanogan hearing

To Comment: Public comments accepted from 6:30 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave. in Wenatchee.

Written comments can be sent until Jan. 8 through wdfw.wa.gov, by fax to (360) 902-2946, or by mail to WDFW SEPA Desk, 600 Capitol Way N. Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

OKANOGAN — People in Okanogan County worry that wolves will multiply too rapidly, will eat so many deer that hunting won’t be good anymore, and will end up costing livestock owners dearly, despite the state’s intention to offer generous compensation.

Those were among the loudest and most-repeated comments at a public hearing Monday in Okanogan, where more than 150 people attended.

The 11th of 12 state Department of Fish and Wildlife meetings across the state was the best attended so far, officials said. The last meeting is tonight in Wenatchee. People can continue to comment in writing until Jan. 8.

A handful of people commenting Monday said they’re happy with the state’s draft recovery plan, but would like to see more than 15 breeding pairs of wolves for three years in a row before they no longer need protection.

“Wolves belong in Washington just as much as we do,” said George Wooten, who lives in the Methow Valley and is a field representative for Conservation Northwest. He said his family ranched in the Chiliwist, and never lost an animal to predators because they kept a close watch on their cattle during calving, and used herd dogs.

Wendy Snook, of Carlton, said she lives next to the wolves, and has seen their tracks nearby, but hasn’t lost any livestock. She said cougars are a bigger threat.

“It’s kind of nice to see the wolves coming back, she said, adding, “I would also like the wolves not to be a problem to cattlemen.”

Others brought up funding issues, and the high cost of both compensation and implementing the plan, which requires close monitoring of existing wolf packs.

But the majority of comments focused on two issues: the impact of wolves on livestock and hunting.

“The people who want wolves don’t have to pay for it, and the people who don’t want them, do,” said Dave McClure, an Okanogan County rancher. He said to get compensated, officials have to declare their livestock was killed by a wolf. But by the time they get there, the coyotes have devoured it. Ranchers have to spend time trying to preserve the site, they have to try to use non-lethal methods to deter wolves, and it all comes as a burden to the livestock owner, McClure said.

Then he added, “I’m all for translocating wolves. I think they should all be translocated to the I-5 corridor, where they can be appreciated,” and the room applauded.

Larry Campbell, a Methow Valley rancher, told state officials he wants proof that the state did not bring in the wolves that are already here. To another hearty applause, he suggested submitting state officials to lie detector tests.

“To me, this is ecoterrorism for the benefit of a single species. You’re not creating balance, but destroying balance,” he told Wildlife officials.

Okanogan County Commissioners Bud Hover and Mary Lou Peterson complained that the state has not consulted with them, despite continued requests to involve county government when state decisions directly impact their county.

Hover also commented that Wildlife officials say there will be no land use restrictions, but already in the Methow Valley, one rancher was asked to delay releasing his cattle out on the range by about two weeks, costing him time and feed.