Autumn on East Fork Salmon River, Idaho, on the Greenfire Preserve

Autumn on the East Fork of the Salmon River in Central Idaho. Oct. 1, 2006. Photo Copyright Ralph Maughan

Here the very important anandromous fish stream runs through the Greenfire Preserve of the Western Watersheds Project

Feds to study whether wolverine to be on endangered species list

Like most additions to the endangered or threatened list, groups have had to sue to get the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to take their petition seriously.

There are those who mistakenly say that all it takes is a 39 cent stamp to put a species on the list. In fact, you have to have good scientific evidence, and even when you do, nowadays you usually have to convice a federal judge to order the USFWS to do its job. Judges do not entertain, much less rule in favor of frivolus suits.

Now the USFWS may make a 12 month study whether to list the wolverine, one of the classic wilderness animals.

Story in Missoulian.

Still more at Wild Again.

Grizzly maulings don’t always hurt (at least at first)

Here is an interesting article from the Hungry Horse News (near Glacier NP, Montana).

Painless griz bites.

Rex Rammell is arrested on obstruction of justice charge

Here in more on the on-going story of the escaped domestic elk in Eastern Idaho.

After a series of confrontations with hunters in the special hunt to kill the escaped domestic elk, Rex Rammell was arrested yesterday after a confrontation with Idaho Fish and Game officers.

He is free on bail.

Story in the Idaho Statesman, “Elk ranch owner vows to battle obstruction charges. Rex Rammell says he called F&G officers ‘every name in the book’ after elk were shot close to his property”

This morning, the Idaho State Journal had a photo of Rammell’s elk enclosure. In the photo there was no vegetation on the ground and the elk looked skinny. The photo isn’t on-line.

Wild Rivers and Riprap: The Case of the Yellowstone

Montana is famous for its great fishing streams and many undammed rivers. They attract newcomers to live on their banks, but then, as rivers do, comes a flood. Riprap often follows to the great detriment of the stream.

Here is a long feature article on the practice. It is especially a problem on the Yellowstone River, the longest undammed river in the West.

Wild Rivers and Riprap: The Case of the Yellowstone. By Hal Herring. New West.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, Parks proactive on chronic wasting “mad elk” disease

Chronic wasting disease has not shown up in Montana’s deer and elk, but Montana FWP isn’t waiting. They are setting up a program and procedure how to deal with it when, or if it shows up in Montana.

Read article.