Hunters Share Opinion About ODFW Determination

Hunters Share Opinion About ODFW Determination

Yesterday I shared the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife summary of their investigation in the horse that was killed recently near Imnaha in Northeastern Oregon. They basically said that the horse died of internal blood loss resulting from a single wound caused by a large objet that had been stabbed into the horse’s groin. Though I had witnesses that mentioned torn flesh at the flank and additional puncture wounds that would be consistent with a wolf attack that DID NOT make it into that investigative report.
Fellow Aginfo reporter and Outdoor Sportsman Dr. David Sparks reached out to some of his contacts for me. He asked one of the most knowledgeable outdoorsmen he knows — BC Outfitter Guides Mark Werner — who has vast expertise regarding elk —- whether a bull elk would attack a horse and Werner says
Werner: “No, no, no I would never think it was a bull elk; because first of all a bull — there are only aggressive towards another bull that would have the same scent and posturing. No, no — that sounds like wolves.”
In my informal polling through social media and asking folks in person, similar sentiments was shared over and over again. Hunters told me that was preposterous to even suggest that as a remote possibility. And yet, that is exactly what was determined by ODFW.

 

Previous ReportHorse Kill Determined to be Bull Elk
Next ReportBenefits of Backgrounding Calves