21 coyotes, no wolves shot in disputed Idaho derby
by Associated Press
KTVB.COM
December 30, 2013
BOISE — Organizers of a predator derby in Idaho say 21 coyotes but no wolves were shot by about 60 hunters.
Steve Alder of Idaho for Wildlife, the weekend event’s promoter, said the low tally helps prove sport hunting isn’t a very effective tool in managing Idaho’s wolves.
The derby near Salmon in Idaho’s mountains proceeded after a fight between its organizers and environmentalists in U.S. District Court.
A judge Friday ruled against event foes including WildEarth Guardians who wanted the derby scotched on grounds the U.S. Forest Service hadn’t issued a permit.
U.S. District Magistrate Judge Candy Wagahoff Dale decided no permit was needed.
Alder’s group offered two separate, $1,000 prizes — one for the hunter who killed the biggest wolf, the other for the hunter who bagged the most coyotes.
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No wolves shot on 1st day of Salmon, Idaho, hunting derby
December 29, 2013 7:45 am • Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho — Organizers of a wolf- and coyote-shooting derby in central Idaho say about 200 people signed up but only about 50 or 60 are hunters and the rest are just offering support for the event.
Steve Alder says no wolves had been reported shot late Saturday, the first day of the event that ends late Sunday afternoon.
He says one hunter’s vehicle was vandalized with paint and scraping, and that authorities are investigating.
A federal judge Friday allowed the derby to proceed on public land after ruling its organizers aren’t required to get a special permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
WildEarth Guardians and other environmental groups had sought to stop the derby, arguing the Forest Service was ignoring its own rules that require permits for competitive events.
Exposing the Big Game 
Would’ve been more cars ON FIRE if I were there. Poor coyotes.
“Steve Alder of Idaho for Wildlife, the weekend event’s promoter, said the low tally helps prove sport hunting isn’t an effective tool in managing Idaho’s wolves.”
Actually, all it proved is that a Wolf Derby in Idaho is not effective in stopping suicide bombers in Russia. Most of us have known that thrill-killing of predators is ineffective as a population control, unless one is willing to extirpate the species. Unlike Alder of Idaho, most of us know that killing predators is not good for humans, either.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714142133.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714142135.htm
“In a broad view, the collapse of these ecosystems has reached a point where this doesn’t just affect wolves or aspen trees, deforestation or soil or water. These predators and processes ultimately protect humans. This isn’t just about them, it’s about us.”
–William Ripple, Oregon State University
Interesting to note that Wild Earth Guardians, a group I used to support, now has a hunter (with a degree in “wildlife management”) on its staff. . When such groups go to bed with the enemy, by hiring hunters, ranchers, and other animal exploiters, they become part of the problem. Shameful.
I hadn’t heard that about the group; thanks for letting us know.