Wolves' rebound causes economic woes

Not only have wolves made a political splash in recent years, but now an economic one as well.

It’s no question that wolves have been a popular topic of discussion in light of Federal Judge Malloy’s decision to put wolves back on the endangered species list in August, and with pending legislation in Mineral County to declare a disaster area allowing residents to kill wolves endangering their persons or property.

It’s even no question that the mere mention of wolves can raise pulses, and in some cases voices.

The real question is whether or not the mention of wolves can scare away prospective clients from local recreational businesses.

“Whether they actually have an impact on the wildlife or not, they have an impact on business,” John Harris, owner of the Lakeside Motel in Trout Creek, said.

Harris compared the stained reputation to that of a reported wildfire. The fire may well be miles and miles away, but public perception and paranoia may keep people from frequenting businesses that can’t even see the smoke.

Harris says every season in March when non-resident hunters draw tags, they will call and ask him about the wolves. “As soon as you say you have wolves, they’re already thinking of another spot. They’re trying to find somewhere else,” he said.

Jammin Krebs, owner and operator of Western Timberland Outfitters in Plains, echoed Harris’ sentiment about hearsay driving people away, stating that papers in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming reach as far East as Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“People do listen and read articles and try to go elsewhere with hunting,” Krebs said. “They keep talking about the wolves, and the wolves, and the wolves and the numbers are down, the numbers are down and it just freaks everybody out.”

“I think that maybe 50 percent could be the economy and maybe 50 percent with the wolves,”  Krebs who’s experiencing some of the most difficult economic times he’s seen in the 17 years he’s been an outfitter in Montana, said.

Shawn Andres, owner of Alpine Artistry taxidermy in Arlee, believes it’s much more than hearsay or a poor economy that is damaging recreational economies in Montana.

Andres explains that if it were the economy keeping people from spending money on taxidermy then they would be selling their pelts, trading them in for credit, or doing cheaper European style skull mounts as opposed to expensive full head mounts.

“Five years ago we’d do 200 skulls a year, last year we did maybe 40 or 50. People just didn’t do it,” Andres said. “It’s just not there.”

Because of perception or actual wolf infestation, Krebs, Harris and Andres have all experienced a very real dip in revenue over the past five years.

“I’d say our motel is down 40 to 60 percent just during hunting season,” Harris estimated. “It was where we were building cabins, we were putting in walk-in coolers for the hunters to try and get that crowd. Now, if we get one or two hunters a season we’re doing good.”

“I don’t even run any elk hunts up here because of the devastation of the elk population and the numbers of wolves,” Krebs  said. “I chose not to run elk hunters up here this year, because of such low statistics of harvest. I’m not going to take somebody up when the success is that low and take them on a hunt, and just ride it through to get their money.”

Krebs said that his main focus is now on antelope hunts in Eastern Montana, because the wolves have forced him to change the way he does business.

Similarly, Andres says that five years ago he got in 75 white-tail deer to mount, and last year he got in seven. That’s more than a 90 percent decrease.

“As far as local stuff, it’s non-existent,” Andres said. “I got more red deer in from Argentina and New Zealand this year, than I did elk from Western Montana.”

Harris predicts that the lack of hunters will begin to affect not only recreational industries like hotels, and outfitters, but everyday establishments like local restaurants, and even convenience stores if it hasn’t already.

The wolves have impacted not only Montana’s local economy, but some fear it may soon destroy the quality of life its residents, and tourists, have come to enjoy.

“I’ve got a young son who just finished hunter’s safety this year, and he may never hunt an elk the way I hunted elk in Montana,” Andres said. “That puts a lump in my throat every time I talk about that, because you take a young kid out two, three times in a row and show him nothing to hunt it’s not going to be long before he or she says, ‘let’s just go to the mall or go to the Griz game, let’s not go this year.’”

“The problem is our rural way of life is in danger, and that’s what’s really concerning,” Andres said. “The lower Clark Fork has been devastated. It’s only a matter of time before [it does the same to] the east and west fork of the Bitterroot.”