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Assessing the Feasibility of A Wolf Economy for Washington. John Marzluff, UW, SEFS Stanley Asah , UW, SEFS Aaron Wirsing , UW, SEFS Brian Kertson , WDFW. Goal and Approach.
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Assessing the Feasibility of A Wolf Economy for Washington John Marzluff, UW, SEFS Stanley Asah, UW, SEFS Aaron Wirsing, UW, SEFS Brian Kertson, WDFW
Goal and Approach • To determine the extent to which investments from urban centers can facilitate stewardship required for coexistence between wolves and those living with wolves • By Listening • To ranchers, regulators, policy makers, agency scientists, environmentalists, those processing, selling and buying meat, cowboys, future ranchers, recreation brokers • In depth interviews • Phone / mail surveys
First Steps • Graduate and undergraduate students have identified participants, developed interview scripts and listened to 45 ranchers in areas where wolves live • Ranchers suggested ways to reduce loss to wolves: • Don’t raise sheep, keep cows close to barn, watch livestock, educate the urban masses, poison, spay/neuter, quit ranching, reduce grazing fees on allotments with wolves, more cow bell
Compensation • Annual subsidy? (More No) • That’s bribery; accepting the money would imply that it’s ok, it’s not. • Premium price on wolf safe beef? (More No) • Cattlemen sell cattle not beef • If there is market and money, it will work • Development of tourism? (More No) • People won’t pay for that • Range riders? (More Yes) • It’s not range-riders, that’s a fancy term from environmentalists, its cowboys and ranchers have always had those. • Compensation for wolf killed stock? (Equal Yes-No) • Doesn’t solve the problem • Puts you under the thumb of the government
Next? • Interview other stakeholders, including you • Develop and conduct survey of all ranchers • Develop and conduct survey of residents • Test the market for wolf-safe beef