JDMCQ's Garage

Zoie and @Kyitty share a birfday!
Camping was good, had to cut it a little short due to snow. haven't had time to go over any pics lately. Ill have to find the time so I can post some here

 

how dare you insinuate such a thing! I am a lady!

 

we're saving ourselves

 

I OD'd at woodstock

http://www.playbuzz.com/gregs/how-did-you-die-in-your-past-life

 

oooh, that's a good one!

 

For what? That's so 1950

Died while fighting for your country in World War II... knowing me...my chute probably didn't open or it was friendly fire.

 

The wolf debate.... there's so many factors that no one considered before the reintroduction. If any of the biologists were to give you an honest opinion they'd tell you the same and that the wolves have done far better than anyone had thought possible.
There's a lot more going on that you can't blame on the wolves.
Most everyone these days only knows the park post fires of '88. After the fires burned down a third of hte forests what took the place of hte trees? Grassy meadows. What do elk and buffalo eat? Grass. Both species flourished with the newfound abundance of food. Fewer animals starved during the winter, more babies were being born every spring and most lived longer and had a higher survival rate as there were no major predators. So there was a population boom. Then the forests started to reclaim the land and food was in short supply. The herds were in poor health and the land was over grazed. More starved during the winter, fewer babies were born. Then the wolves were introduced. The herds had never seen a wolf before, didnt know how to protect themselves and the wolves monopolized the situation. Yes, the wolves killed a lot of elk and buffalo. But they would have likely died from starvation soon enough otherwise. For the wolves they were brought in at a very opportune time. Over the years the herds have dwindled in size - to a more sustainable population density - but there are other things happening that no one considers. Before when there were no predators the animals didn't have to worry, they were safe everywhere. So they hung out where the food was - and usually in full view of the roads. Now they know that they are safer in the trees and tend to hide out. For whatever reason the wolves generally won't bother the elk if theyre in the trees. maybe because they rely on being able to chase them and tire them out which isn't possible to do in the trees. and the trees have regrown. after teh fires you could stop anywhere on the roads and see for miles but since the trees have regrown most of hte views are obstructed. the elk are out there, you just can't see them. they've resumed their normal, "wild" behavior and don't act like they're in a petting zoo anymore.

have wolves had a negative effect on the land and animals? Yes. But there are many other factors at play too - both good and bad.

 

Boo Boo!

B! how's the business owner life treating you?