operation p.a.w. ;; don't let the howls stop

[bearcups]

I think it's extra sad when people shoot wolves for preying on their livestock.

That not sad. Thats justice.

[Destrie]

IN MY OPINION:
i think it's sad that the wolves have to eat the livestock cause the hunters kill all the deer, and THEN they get shot for it...
it's all connected... Some people say its cruel to kill wolves that kill livestock, and some say they deserved it, but you gotta think... why do the wolves kill the livestock? and you find out it's cause there isn't anything else to eat... if there WAS deer and the wolves killed the livestock instead, yeah, they are in trouble cause they couldve ate something else, and that shows that they could kill a person, but if it's self preservation, then it sad they're killed... : /

[bearcups]

Actually, if a wolf were given the choice of deer or sheep, it would go for the sheep. Why? Sheep are slower, dumber, and ridiculously easy to take down. Deer have sharp hooves and wouldn't mind using them, whereas sheep just want to eat grass and then run for their lives. In short: they eat sheep because they're easy kills.

[Destrie]

I get that... what i mean is if there is absolutely NO deer at all in the forest(or wherever) and a wolf kills livestock, why should it get punished if it's never done it in years passed... If hunters kill all of the food(no matter what they'd rather have) why should the wolves be punished... Sure, i agree that if a wolf keeps killing your herds, it should get punished, but if the wolf has NO other choices, they shouldnt be killed.. if you were a starving(like, to death) kid and you saw a pie sitting in a windowsill, unwatched, would you keep walking and starve to death, or take a bite?(bad comparison... but thats all i got)

[Reh]

I, Reh, will dedicate myself to helping wolves have a better future. I swear to give my all in protecting these beautiful creatures, and will help in anyway I can.

Love wolves!

[bearcups]

I get that... what i mean is if there is absolutely NO deer at all in the forest(or wherever) and a wolf kills livestock, why should it get punished if it's never done it in years passed... If hunters kill all of the food(no matter what they'd rather have) why should the wolves be punished... Sure, i agree that if a wolf keeps killing your herds, it should get punished, but if the wolf has NO other choices, they shouldnt be killed.. if you were a starving(like, to death) kid and you saw a pie sitting in a windowsill, unwatched, would you keep walking and starve to death, or take a bite?(bad comparison... but thats all i got)

If I were a wolf and I saw a sheep, I'd kill it (and maybe eat it.) regardless of wether or not there were any deer in the area. How do the wolves know there aren't any deer, though? There are also things like hunting seasons to keep the deer from being over hunted. This problem rarely occurs, and when it does the wolves move on. They would move as a pack (or as a loner, depending on if you're talking about a lone wolf or not.) and the would find a new territory that would probably have a lot more deer. If they dont move, they prey on other things like wild dogs, rabbits, sometimes lynx's (if they can take them, which they normally cant...), and other small furries like mice and voles...and sheep.

Pro's and Con's of hunting sheep: (bolding the ones that wolves wouldn't think about.)

+ They're dumb, I can stalk them without having to hide.
+ They're slow, I can catch up to them easily.
+ They're easy to knock over, I can take them down easily.
+ They're fatter, more food.
- There is the possibility of dogs coming for me after I've been spotted.
- I could be shot for it.

Pro's and Con's of hunting deer: (bolding the ones that wolves wouldn't think about, again.)

+ They taste good.
+ Nobody will care if I eat them.
- They run faster than me.
- They aren't easy to take down.
- They have hooves that can hurt me.

I didn't bold the "There is the possibility of dogs coming for me after I've been spotted..." one because, like dogs, wolves can learn consequences. They would associate the sound of baying dogs with the feeling of fear, pain or grief (depending on wether or not its them or a pack mate that has been killed.) and this would probably cause them to steer away from the sheep.

[Destrie]

If it's the first time they ate the sheep, they wouldn't know to associate eating sheep as a bad thing... and maybe it's humans that are driving them out... you're starting to sound like you WANT the wolves killed... you didnt quote the other person's full thing... if humans chop down the forests and drive the prey (and the wolves) from their homes, what else are they supposed to eat... i get that they could move on, but if they see animals(no matter what) they'd think they could stay and eat that, even if there werent deers... I think they should just be relocated, not shot... but apparently you think wolves should be killed it they step out of line, even if it's just once and they dont know any better... : /

[☼find your wings☼]

I would like to join you guys. Free the wolves. <3
Will make a banner too.

[Scarlett Redd]

((Yay! I've started a debate! ))

The wolves won't prey on the sheep unless they pretty much have to, because they can be killed for it, and although not many deer-hunts may be succesful, they can hunt all day if they want but no-one minds.

[bearcups]

If it's the first time they ate the sheep, they wouldn't know to associate eating sheep as a bad thing... and maybe it's humans that are driving them out... you're starting to sound like you WANT the wolves killed... you didnt quote the other person's full thing... if humans chop down the forests and drive the prey (and the wolves) from their homes, what else are they supposed to eat... i get that they could move on, but if they see animals(no matter what) they'd think they could stay and eat that, even if there werent deers... I think they should just be relocated, not shot... but apparently you think wolves should be killed it they step out of line, even if it's just once and they dont know any better... : /

Bolded the parts of your post that I want to address first.

I'd rather that you didn't put words into my mouth, thank you. (: I'd rather that wolves were not killed for eating sheep. If a new sheep was able to be replaced every time one was killed, then there would be no need to kill the wolf. However, there are lots of places that cant handle the constant death of their livestock and need to eliminate the problem. Once a wolf targets (and remembers) an easy meal, the wolf will continue to return and pick off more easy meals until there are none left. If we let this happen, the farmers who own the livestock would be broke for money and unable to feed their families.

In my opinion, if a wolf kills a sheep more than once, it should be shot dead on sight. If it kills once and comes back for more, but is caught in the process, it should still be shot dead. This is a wolf that will continue to kill the sheep and cannot be allowed to live. Relocating is costly and takes more time. Plus, what do we get out of relocating a wolf? The same sheep killing canine in another enviournment, where there will probably be more livestock, ready to go out and kill more easy prey. If we shoot them, we've eliminated the problem and provided a) a wolf body for study. b) fur for someone to make clothing out of. c) meat.

@Alsatian-Lover;

Wolves dont see sheep as a last resort source of food. They see them as stupid, slow, easy-to-hunt targets that cause them less trouble than many other food sources and would go for them first. Give me your honest answer here: If you were hungry and you had the choice between eating a sandwich that was already made, sitting on the counter, on a plate, or cooking yourself a dinner, which would you take?

I'd also like to ask that you don't go "lol I dnt like sandwiches" because thats not the point of that question. The point is, the sheep is basically standing there, asking to be killed and eaten by a wolf, while the deer run, hide, and fight the wolves. Sheep = easy, deer = hard.