Salt Lake City, Utah – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF), one of the key conservation groups in North America, is currently accepting applications for Regional Director positions in Colorado and Wyoming.

There are currently eight active MDF chapters in Colorado and nine in Wyoming. These are mule deer states with hundreds of volunteers already working to conserve habitat and the hunting heritage.

MDF is looking for Regional Directors who can successfully work with local volunteers to hold fundraising events that will help support the MDF mission. Regional Directors are responsible for forming and retaining MDF chapter committees, as well as enlisting new members and volunteers. They must also support national convention efforts. Other duties include preparation of annual fundraising income projections and operating expense budgets, as well as coordinating and recommending specific conservation projects for MDF funding. A solid working knowledge of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat is required.

Regional Directors represent MDF in their respective states and must maintain liaison and professional visibility with state and federal wildlife agencies, university wildlife departments, non-governmental conservation organizations, sportsmen’s groups, local media and outfitter/guide associations.

Extensive travel is required, and applicants should reside in the state for which they are applying.

MDF will be accepting applications until October 31, 2011. Submit resume’s to Marty Holmes, Director of Field Operations, at marty@muledeer.org.

About MDF

The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Mule Deer Foundation Seeking Regional Directors for Colorado and Wyoming

Casper, Wyo. – Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) staff and volunteers assisted at the recent Wyoming Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo (Expo) in Casper, Wyo. Final numbers are not in yet, but an estimated 14,000 people attended, with about 8,000 being school-aged children.

MDF’s Youth Programs Coordinator Jon Zinnel said, “The MDF-sponsored rifle and shotgun ranges at the Expo gave young people the opportunity to learn how to handle a firearm. All of the instructors made sure the kids fully understood the aspects of firearms and range safety before participating. Students were taught the proper and safe way to handle, aim and fire the guns. This program was consistent with MDF’s M.U.L.E.Y. mission, which is to safely introduce youth to shooting sports, ensuring the sport’s continued growth.”

MDF Corporate Partners also helped. ATK Federal Ammunition provided shotshells and rimfire ammunition for the MDF shooting ranges, and Crosman Corporation donated 10,000 pellets for the indoor air rifle range. Together, MDF and its partners helped introduce students to the outdoors and let them know where to get involved with other on-going shooting, hunting and conservation programs.

The Expo, hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept., is a statewide annual event open to the public. It provides learning and participation opportunities that emphasize the relevance of wildlife and habitat management, as well as ethical behavior and stewardship of the outdoors.

Zinnel concluded, “The Expo was just a great event. We not only influenced thousands of youth with shooting sports, but we also gained exposure and a foothold in the state of Wyoming with our M.U.L.E.Y. youth program. The Expo was very well put together, and we look forward to participating again next year.”

About MDF and the M.U.L.E.Y. Program

The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless man-hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

The mission of MDF’s M.U.L.E.Y. (Mindful, Understanding, Legal and Ethical Youth) program is to safely introduce youth to shooting sports, ensuring the sport’s continued growth. The M.U.L.E.Y. program is funded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield and the MidwayUSA Foundation. Visit the M.U.L.E.Y. Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mdfyouth.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Mule Deer Foundation Connects with Youth at Wyoming Expo

ROCK SPRINGS,Wyo.– For the seventh year in a row, the Mule Deer Foundation’s (MDF) Muley Fanatic Chapter inRock Springs,Wyo., is helping sponsor a “Monster Buck Contest” for mule deer taken in the state during the 2011 hunting season. Prizes include rifles, shoulder mounts, and more.

This year the “Monster Buck Contest” will have five divisions: Ladies, Men, Youth, Archery and Antler Trash. Entry is free, and the contest will run from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. Winners will be announced on Nov. 2, 2011. For more information visit www.muledeer.org or contact Josh Coursey at 307-352-6500.

In addition to MDF, sponsors for theRock Springscontest include Wyoming Trucks, Castle Rock Archery, Infinity Power & Controls, Baas Taxidermy, Back Country Taxidermy, Trailhead Guns, Harris Taxidermy, and others.

Another “Big Buck Contest” is being sponsored by MDF’s Thunder Basin Chapter out ofGillette,Wyo., in conjunction with Rusty Bell Taxidermy. Qualified entries can be any 2011 legally harvestedWyomingwhitetail or mule deer.

Prizes for the Gillette contest will include a shoulder mount by Rusty Bell Taxidermy, binoculars and a knife. The contest is open toWyomingresident or non-resident hunters. A $20 entry fee is required per division and must be received by Sept. 30, 2011. Scoring will be done at various Gillette locations on Oct. 22, Nov. 26, or by appointment by Dec. 7, 2011.

For an entry form and additional information visit www.muledeer.org or contact Kim Hansel at 307-689-2506.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Mule Deer Foundation Chapters Sponsoring Big Buck Contests in Wyoming

Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) WORLD HEADQUARTERS-Cody, Wyoming USA – June 29, 2011. More than sixty delegates from eighteen WSF Chapter and Affiliates plus representatives from state and federal wildlife and resource agencies assembled June 10-12, 2011 in Denver, Colorado to work together for wild sheep, their habitat, their wild sheep hunters and wild sheep enthusiasts, and to coordinate their wild sheep advocacy efforts at the Chapter & Affiliate Summit IV meeting, hosted by WSF and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society (RMBS).

In May 2008, the Wild Sheep Foundation brought its chapters to the Cody headquarters to work towards establishing better communication and cooperation, with an overall objective to improve effectiveness in the Foundation’s purpose of “Putting & Keeping Sheep On the Mountain™.” The process coined “One Tent – One Campfire” by WSF President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton, improved intra-chapter communication, cooperation, issue and policy development and coordination between the Wild Sheep Foundation chapter community. After a second WSF chapter-only meeting in summer 2009, WSF Affiliates were invited to participate in the first WSF Chapter and Affiliate Summit meeting hosted by WSF Alberta Chapter in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in June 2010, The 4th Chapter and Affiliate Summit hosted by RMBS in Denver proved equally productive, bringing even more wild sheep advocates to the table to discuss issues, challenges, and opportunities facing wild sheep, their regional organizations, fundraising, governance, marketing and communications.

The event included a kick-off social and networking opportunity Friday evening sponsored by Washington WSF, Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, WSF Alberta, Wyoming WSF and Brenton and Tammy Scott. The all-day Saturday Summit meeting sponsored by California WSF, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, and the Wild Sheep Foundation featured informative presentations by Larry Jacobs and George Houston of Oregon FNAWS who spoke on their chapter’s model of bighorn sheep advocacy on the Payette National Forest, a US Forest Service overview and bighorn/domestic sheep interaction and status on USFS lands by USFS Region 2 Biologist and Full Curl Coordinator Melanie Woolever, an overview on bighorn and domestic sheep status on Bureau of Land Management lands by BLM Idaho State Biologist Tom Rinkes, and an overview of bighorns in Colorado by Division of Wildlife Biologist Janet George and RMBS President Robert Ong. Following an afternoon of open forum and organizational presentations led by WSF President Gray Thornton, and WSF Conservation Director Kevin Hurley, delegates departed by bus for a pregame social and dinner sponsored by New Mexico WSF, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, Utah FNAWS, Eastern WSF and Montana WSF, then enjoyed the mile high evening at Coors Field watching the Rockies play the Dodgers.

A Sunday field excursion to Colorado Division of Wildlife’s disease research facility near Fort Collins and bighorn sheep disease research program overview by facility director CDoW’s Dr. Mike Miller rounded out a productive and informative weekend. WSF salutes the Chapter & Affiliate Summit IV host the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society and its fine members, and all Chapter and Affiliate event sponsors who helped ensure the event was a success.

Plans are already underway for the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Chapter & Affiliate Summit V scheduled for June, 2012 in/around Lewiston, Idaho, in conjunction with the annual Hell’s Canyon Bighorn Days hosted by Idaho WSF, Washington WSF and Oregon FNAWS.

The Wild Sheep Foundation, formerly the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, was founded in 1977 by sheep and mountain hunting enthusiasts and conservationists. With a membership of more than 6,000 worldwide and a chapter network in North America, WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, wild goats, other mountain wildlife, and their habitat. Since forming in 1977, the Wild Sheep Foundation has raised and expended more than $85 million on conservation, education and mission advocacy programs in North America, Europe and Asia. During the July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 fiscal year, WSF raised and put on the ground more than $3.2 million in mission programs benefitting wild sheep, other mountain wildlife, their habitat and those who hunt and enjoy them.

For more information on WSF, the January 18-21, 2012 annual convention in Reno, Nevada, WSF’s many conservation and education programs, or to join as a member, please visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org or contact WSF at 720 Allen Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414 USA. Telephone 307-527-6261. Email info@wildsheepfoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook™ at Facebook.com/wild sheep foundation.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - WSF Chapters and Affiliates Join Together in Denver for Wild Sheep

New Berlin, WI – Sportsman Channel (www.thesportsmanchannel.com), the leader in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman, announces that Optimum TV in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah has begun a phased-in rollout of Sportsman HD, and the network is now available in the Family Package in these markets. Optimum TV, part of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC), serves more than 300,000 customers in these four western states.

“We are proud that Optimum TV chose to put Sportsman Channel in its Family package in some of the most sportsmen-rich areas of the country, offering their customers more access to the only network exclusively focused on hunting, shooting and fishing,” said Gavin Harvey, CEO, Sportsman Channel. “Additionally, the roll-out of Sportsman HD will provide many of Optimum TV’s customers with the ultimate ‘you are there’ viewing experience. Sportsman Channel HD lets viewers feel like they are experiencing the outdoors right beside our series’ hosts.” During the third quarter, dubbed “The Season of the American Sportsman,” Sportsman Channel is premiering 25 original primetime series and airing 75 original episode debuts. On June 27, the network introduced viewers to four new programming blocks designed to address the broad interests of today’s Sportsman. In the fall, new original programming will include the premiere of Beau Knows Outdoors with Beau Turner, son of media mogul Ted Turner.

Earlier this year, Sportsman Channel launched in standard-definition on Cablevision’s iO TV.

About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman Channel is now available in HD, check with your local cable or satellite provider. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, Sportsman Channel reaches 27 million U.S. television households and is a part of the nation’s largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl (www.twitter.com/ SPORTSMANchnl), become a Fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sportsmanchannel and download Sportsman App at www.itunes.com/appstore

Contact:
Mark Braff, Braff Communications, mbraff@braffcommunications.com, 201-612-0707

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Sportsman Channel Now Available in HD on Optimum TV Systems in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah

RIVERTON, Wyo. (June 20, 2011) – Originally offered as part of its popular Jerky Master package, the Hi Mountain Seasonings Jerky Gun is now available as an individual item. The easy-to-use Jerky Gun allows you to make ground-meat jerky, sticks or breakfast sausages with any of Hi Mountain Seasonings’ 19 Jerky Cure & Seasonings kits, 12 Snackin’ Sticks flavors and three mouth-watering breakfast sausage seasonings.

Making jerky, meat sticks or breakfast sausages from ground meat is simplified with Hi Mountain’s Jerky Gun. Simply fill the tube with the seasoned and cured meat; select one of three interchangeable nozzles for strips, sticks or sausage links; and squeeze the trigger. All parts are dishwasher safe, so clean up is a snap. The individual Jerky Gun with three nozzles included retails for $19.95.

For those that would like a more elaborate set up, Hi Mountain still offers the Jerky Master which comes complete with the Jerky Gun, two nozzles for strips or sticks, an industrial-grade jerky screen and two of the fabulous Hi Mountain Jerky Cure and Seasonings. This kit retails for $36.99.

Whether you are looking for individual items for making jerky or you are looking for a kit with everything you need, Hi Mountain Seasonings has what you need to make delicious homemade jerky every time.

Hi Mountain’s entire line of products, cooking tips, instructional videos, and recipes are also available at www.himtnjerky.com, and the products can be found at high-quality sporting goods stores, farm and ranch stores and your local grocery stores.

Located in the heart of Wyoming, Hi Mountain Seasonings was founded in 1991. It is the premier manufacturer of kits for homemade jerky and sausage. Hi Mountain Seasonings has successfully captured distinct, traditional Western flavors in its Jerky Cure & Seasonings, Western Style Seasonings, Bacon cures and other products that make up the unique line of gourmet Western seasonings. In 2011, Hi Mountain Seasonings introduced a line of delicious freeze-dried Camping Meals. For additional information, write: Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501; call toll-free 1-800-829-2285; or visit the company website at www.himtnjerky.com.

Contact:

Karen Lutto 830-755-4308 karen@hunteroc.com

Kimi Herndon 804-346-4309 kimi@hunteroc.com

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Hi Mountain Jerky Gun Now Available Separately

CASPER, Wyo. – The Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition recently held its annual meeting to review project proposals and allocate current-year funds.

This Coalition is made up of representatives from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming (WHFW), Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Mule Deer Foundation and other conservation organizations.

Formed in 2003, the Coalition raises money through the auction or raffle of “governor” licenses. Funds raised are used for conservation projects to benefit big game species, as well as education of the public and youth on the importance of hunting, fishing and conservation to Wyoming and its culture.

Basically, these licenses are valid in any open hunt area in the state, both general license and limited quota license areas. The buyer or winner must select the species and can hunt any open hunt area in the state, subject to season dates and limitations.

MDF chapters in California and Wyoming and the MDF National Convention helped raise funds for the Coalition by hosting events where Wyoming Governor’s Licenses were auctioned or raffled. At this year’s Coalition meeting, nearly $50,000 was allocated to deer projects in Wyoming. These projects include: 67 Ranch Conservation Easement, Black Mountain Cheatgrass Control, Clark Ranch Conservation Easement, Fish Creek/Green River Conservation Easement, HF Bar Conservation Easement, North Laramie Range Watershed Restoration, South Laramie Range Habitat Enhancement II, Upper Dunoir Conservation Easement, V Cross Conservation Easement, Wyoming Front Aspen Restoration, and Wyoming Hunting & Fishing Heritage Expo.

To date, a total of $2,674,006 has been directly allocated to 382 projects. Of this, $341,056 has been allocated to 81 projects which benefit mule deer.

About MDF:

The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless man-hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.

Contact:

Scott Hampel, Mule Deer Foundation 720-261-6232 or shampel@muledeer.org

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - MDF Works With Coalition to Allocate Funds

A ceremony in Casper, Wyo., will recognize 2010 inductees selected for “significant and lasting lifetime contributions to the conservation of Wyoming’s outdoor heritage.” Previous honorees include President Theodore Roosevelt, Curt Gowdy, Olaus Murie, George Bird Grinnell and many other names familiar to hunters and conservationists. The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming sponsors the special honor and event.

An early and ardent supporter of RMEF’s mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, Clark has been a standout contributor to the organization’s conservation fundraisers. His donated hunts, pack trips, mules and other stock have generated $460,000 in funding for conservation. Clark also gives countless hours of volunteer labor, leads the ring crew for auctions and ladies’ luncheons at RMEF annual conventions, has served on the organization’s board of directors, appeared on the RMEF television show and, along with wife Kay, was honored in 2000 with the highest honor given by RMEF–the Wallace Fennell Pate Wildlife Conservation Award.

“Elk country is richer today because of Jake Clark,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Jake is a man of few words but infinite energy and passion for wild country, and we congratulate him on this well deserved honor.”

With leadership from Clark and spirited help from some 10,000 fellow volunteers, RMEF this summer passed the 5.8 million mark in acres conserved or enhanced for wildlife.

The new RMEF funding, totaling $335,500, will affect Albany, Big Horn, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Hot Springs, Lincoln, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, Sublette and Teton counties.

“These grants are possible because of the successful banquets and fundraisers staged over the past year by our Wyoming volunteers, most of whom are elk hunters as well as devoted conservationists,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Since 1984, our annual grants have helped complete 408 different projects in Wyoming with a combined value of more than $40 million.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following projects, listed by county:

Big Horn County – Prescribe burn 500 acres of juniper and sagebrush to enhance habitat for elk, bighorn sheep and sage grouse in Devil’s Canyon area of BLM lands; thin 50 acres of conifer to restore aspen in Markum Draw area of BLM lands.

Carbon County – Restore aspen and improve forage diversity for elk by thinning 600 acres of conifer in Little Snake River area of Medicine Bow National Forest and BLM lands; assist with conservation easement on 7,003 acres to protect important wildlife habitat and 14 miles of streams and rivers; provide funding for a new wildlife underpass along Hwy. 789.

Fremont County – Rejuvenate aspen stands by removing conifers from 140 acres of elk habitat in Willow and Josh creek areas of BLM lands.

Hot Springs County – Thin 66 acres of encroaching conifer to restore aspen stands and habitat quality for elk and other wildlife in Hess Creek area on BLM lands.

Lincoln County – Prescribe burn 1,665 acres of aspen and sagebrush to restore forage quality in elk habitat in North Murphy Creek area of Bridger-Teton National Forest; treat noxious weeds on 405 acres in Greys River area of Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Natrona County – Build exclosure fencing to protect aspen stands and habitat for elk and other wildlife in south Big Horns area; continue landscape scale initiative to restore natural vegetation and enhance streamflows in Bates Creek watershed (also affects Converse and Albany counties).

Park County – Provide funding for research to determine elk migration patterns in Absaroka Mountains; remove encroaching conifer by treating 50 acres and prescribe burning 200 acres in Shoshone National Forest; modify 200 yards of livestock fencing to create a wildlife-friendly crossing area near Meeteetse, Wyo.; treat 400 acres of noxious weeds to improve forage on elk winter range near Graybull River in Shoshone National Forest and BLM lands; assist with conservation easement to protect 13,657 acres in an area being fragmented by subdivision; prescribe burn 100 acres of juniper and sagebrush to improve forage in Breteche Creek area on BLM lands.

Sheridan County – Assist with conservation easement on 1,028 acres that provides a vital corridor for wintering game herds in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.

Sublette County – Provide funding for fourth-year operations of a Wyoming Front Aspen Restoration program to benefit habitat for elk and other wildlife; assist Wyoming Game and Fish Department with a 19,000-acre conservation easement that will include public access along five miles of the Green River; provide funding for research on seasonal elk use of feedgrounds and adjacent habitat; offer cost-free wildlife-friendly fence modifications to interested landowners in key big-game migration routes.

Teton County – Prescribe burn 1,250 acres of winter and transition range for elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer in Gros Venture watershed in Bridger-Teton National Forest; treat 300 acres of exotic plant infestations to improve habitat in Grand Teton National Park; prescribe burn 3,500 acres and slash 500 acres to improve habitat in Hill Creek area of Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities.

Partners for 2010 projects in Wyoming include Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, other agencies, corporations and landowners.

This is a warning to outdoor users about a potentially deadly biological event that could result from one’s curiosity to poke at and kick through scat from wolves, coyotes and foxes. Of course not everyone knowingly does this but many hunters, trappers and simply the curious, want to know what these animals have been eating.

Back in the end of November I gave you a link to a story, “Of Wolves and Worms”. That story introduced many of us to the subject of worms being found in wolves in the Greater Yellowstone area.

According to a new study out in the October issue of the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, three-millimeter-long tapeworms known as Echinococcus granulosus, are documented for the first time in gray wolves in Idaho and Montana. And the authors didn’t just find a few tapeworms here and there… turns out that of 123 wolf intestines sampled, 62 percent of the Idaho gray wolves and 63 percent of the Montana gray wolves were positive. (Ew!) The researchers wrote: “The detection of thousands of tapeworms per wolf was a common finding.” (Again… Ew!!) This leads to the interpretation that the E. granulosus parasite rate is fairly widespread and established in the Northern Rocky Mountain wolves.

There is discussion about how some think the worms ended up in the wolves in this region but the article tends to downplay any serious concerns people should have from coming in contact with these tapeworms and the eggs they leave behind.

In the comments section of the article, Will Graves, author of the book “Wolves in Russia: Anxiety Through the Ages“, left his thoughts on his own research discoveries about the dangers to humans of these parasites.

In the first paragraph in my letter to Mr. Bangs dated 3 October 1993 on the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) which was titled “The Reintroduction of Gray Wolves to Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho,” I warned about the damages and problems wolves would cause to Yellowstone and other areas by carrying and spreading parasites and diseases over larger areas. Some of these parasites are damaging not only to wild and domestic animals, but can also be dangerous to humans. One of these parasites is Echinococcous Granulosus and Echinococcus M. Since 1993 I have been working to tell people what I have learned from about 50 years of research on the characteristics, habits and behavior of Russian wolves. From that research I came to the conclusion that one of the most serious consequences of bring wolves into the US would be the wolves carrying and spreading around damaging/dangerous parasites and diseases. I did my best to explain this in my book titled, “Wolves in Russia – Anxiety Through the Ages” edited by Dr. Valerius Geist. Details about my book are in my web site: wolvesinrussia.com.

After several years effort, I finally recently obtained help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Parasitic Research Center in Beltsville, MD. This research center will try to conduct research on the blood taken from wolves in our western states. Oneparasite they will be researching is to determine if wolves carry and spread the parasite Neospora Caninum around. It is established that coyotes and dogs carry this damaging parasite.

I remember that about two years ago there was a report about one wolf carrying Echinococcus Granulosus in Montana.

Much more research is needed about the danger wolves bring to our environment. Some of the parasites carried by wolves are dangerous to humans.(emphasis added)

Around this same time that Will Graves posted his comments, he contacted me by email and asked if I could somehow be of assistance to him in obtaining blood samples from wolves taken during the Idaho and Montana wolf hunts. The word went out quickly and hopefullyGraves gets what he needs to help him in his research. This can become extremely valuable information for all of us.

In the meantime, Dr. Valerius Geist, professor emeritus University of Calgary and Dr. Charles Kay, of Utah State University, who holds degrees in wildlife ecology, environmental studies and wildlife biology, exchanged thoughts on the discovery of worms in Yellowstone wolves in emails I received.

Well, Charles? What else is new? What did we warn about, how we were censored as alarmists………………………
And yes, a colleague assured us that all that is not a problem for us, but for some native types. Nothing to worry about, really. Remember how, early on, we put out a warning – do not kick dry wolf feces or poke about in such looking for evidence of food habits. Do not handle wolf feces as it will disturb the tiny Echinococcus eggs that float up like little dust cloud to envelop you, and you are very likely to ingest some of that “dust”. This know-how, which we older Canadian types carried away from our parasitogy lessons was poo-hood by some American colleagues. Wolves are after all, harmless! Remember the question we posed: is it really such a great idea completing ecosystems when the progression is herbivores, carnivores, finally diseases and parasites?

It is not my intention nor that of Drs. Geist and Kay to attempt to instill unnecessary fear in people but to educate, as it was back in the day before wolf reintroduction. There are very important lessons and warnings that all should heed and take into consideration when in the woods or maybe even in your own back yard.

Dr. Geist emailed me the other day and asked me if I would be kind enough to post this information so that anyone and everyone will be aware of the potential for some very serious health issues.

Urgent: could you make a point of it that now, that we know that the majority of wolves are infected with Echinococcus, that all hunters control their curiosity and not poke about in wolf or coyote feces to find out what these predators ate. these feces are saturated with tiny, lightweight Echinococcus eggs that rise like dust plume from the disturbed feces and envelop the poking hunter. If the air-born eggs are ingested, the an infection is possible, and having Echinococcus cysts grow inside oneself is not a desirable condition. Trust me!

He followed that up with more information about the dangers.

As to the pathogenicity of Echinococcus granulosus: Yes, I noticed that Foayt, leaning on Raup’s research in Alaska, toned down the dangers from this northern form. My understanding based on what we learned from an old, experienced parasitologist at the University of British Columbia is that it’s nothing to fool around with. It’s serious! In my career as a biologist in touch with the north, I have heard nothing else. I have not, however, done a recent literature search. Foayte’s assessment may be on even though it conflicts with mine. Either way, getting an Echinococcus cyst of any kind is no laughing matter as it can grow not only on the liver or the lungs, but also in the brain. And then it’s fatal.

There is however, another much more alarming angle. Echinococcus multilocularis is a nightmare, and much more virulent than Echinococcus granulosus of any strain. We cannot encapsulate this cyst, and it grows and buds off like a cancer infecting different parts of the body incessantly. Were some of the wolves infected with multilocularis? Coyotes and foxes carry it and it has been spreading. Do canids in Idaho, Montana, etc. have it? It’s found in Alberta. Regardless, now is the time to send out an SOS to ALL outdoor users. Hold your curiosity in check, do not poke into the feces of wolves, coyotes and foxes. If you do you will release clouds of Echinococcus eggs which will envelop you, and you may ingest the eggs, bring the eggs home and endanger your family. This is nothing new to me and I have lived with this constraint on my curiosity for over 40 years. This is just a know how that maintains your personal and your family’s safety. Also, never feed uncooked offal to your dog as it may become infected with Echinococcus and infect you and your family. Echinococcus cysts love to be in lung and liver, and if consumed by dogs you have a health hazard on your hands. And such cysts now grow in deer and elk where you live. Somebody should take a second look searching out Echinococcus multilocularis.

You and I probably have no idea in the world whether these worms exist in the woods we hunt, trap, hike, etc. but good advice given by Dr. Geist should tell us it’s not something we should mess around with. Squelch the curiosity to dig in the poop and just assume there could be hidden danger.

I want to take a moment to thank Will Graves, Dr. Val Geist and Dr. Charles Kay for caring enough about the rest of us to be willing to share their findings and experiences.