Originally Posted By: MULE MANI wood also say that human populatiion is a key factor in th answer;as well as black bears,cougar,and bobcat eating game. But speaking from my travels abroud in MONTANA, IDAHO,and home state of Washington.One of the key contributers to the demise of our big game are NOXIUS WEEDS.And I make that statement with no exspierence hunting in CANADA or ALASKA;only haveing worked along side folks from those places while working in the outfitting buisness,as well as AUSIE'S.So I guese some of what I'm trying to say is it is our fault just as much as anyones.The problem usualy starts before anyone takes notice;and before the finishing act-A.K.A-WOLVES. So I'll finish by saying the only good WOLF is a dead WOLF!! KILL E'M ALL!!!!
I have a real issue with your noxious weed claim. It is true we need to control weeds, but the elk and not starving to death due to lack of food abundance. They are getting ate, or at least killed, many only get picked at. If it was just a weed issue it would have been killing the elk long ago. While I am the first to admit we needs strong aggressive weed control, I am not willing to admit it is the reason the elk numbers have dropped in MT, ID and WY. Just like those who claim it is due to hunting pressure. That is simply not true, if it was a numbers game for F&W they would have never reached the numbers the were just prior to introduction. Some people claim that right now is the glory years for big elk hunters, much like the 50s-60s were for mule deer. I am afraid that soon the big elk days will be a thing of the past. Especially once the wolves start to invade Utah in strength.