Area trappers learn techniques from expert

PLAINS – Concerned citizens in Sanders County met Saturday to discuss the wolf population and to get an education on wolf trapping from Mark Schlenker, an experienced Alaskan wolf trapper.

Jerry Marjerrison organized the event, and he thought having an expert educate new trappers how to safely and effectively control the population was a good idea. This is Montana’s second year for allowing trapping of wolves. Perspective hunters are allotted up to five tags to trap or shoot the animal that has caused a problem for the attendees across Sanders County.

The economic impact has been devastating for some residents in the area. Jim Shallenberger said that he was forced out of the ranching business after wolves were killing his livestock. Seven years ago he was forced to sell his cows because he couldn’t keep the wolves away. He is also concerned with the population of deer and elk.

“Only 20 percent or so of the elk remain that we had from 12 years ago,” he said.

He believes that keeping the wolves at bay only helps ranchers and hunters alike.

“It’s a form of game management,” Shallenberger said. “If ranchers can’t keep and raise their young the population dies out.”

The disappearance of game was the biggest concern on the minds of the attendees. Montana tourism is based largely on hunters visiting the state to attempt to kill what used to be a large population of elk and deer. Now fewer animals are available to hunt based on the groups observations, and they think the wolves are to blame.

Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel has seen a sharp decline in the deer and elk population after the Canadian wolves were introduced to the area about four years ago.

“I used to be able to look out my back door and count 70 or 80 whitetails in the field,” Rummel said. “Last time I counted, I got to 17.”

Though Rummel is not entirely sure of the economic impact, he knows it has been caused for concern for hunters such as his self.

The class was intended to teach trapping techniques for safe and effective population control of wolves in the area.

Any overpopulated animal emits immediate danger to livestock owners, hunters, and local residents. Population control is necessary to create the best environment for all animals to thrive according to Schlenker. During the class Schlenker cited his own experience in Alaska for the need to control the population so that the caribou offspring could grow.

“The wolves will eat themselves out of house and home,” Schlenker said. “ It’s healthier for the population to keep them controlled.”

Schlenker is also concerned for ranchers whose livelihood relies on domesticated livestock.

“Once all the wild game are gone, the wolves will move toward the domesticated one,” he said. “It is especially dangerous in a settled area for these animals to live.”

Schlenker emphasized that wolves learn more as trappers begin to trap and gain knowledge as to how to avoid traps.

Montana currently allows for the use of foot traps but prohibits snares. Something Schlenker thinks should be changed, so long as trappers are responsible with them and do not trap other animals such as deer and elk.

“You don’t want to set up traps near walking trails and have someone see a deer in it,” Schlenker said. “It’s just bad PR.”

If responsible measures are taken with lower traps and wires that detour the deer it should not be a problem for trappers to use snares in the future.

The class emphasized following current Montana regulations and reiterated population control so the deer and elk population return.