Consumer Sentiment on Yellowstone Wolves
The citizens and businesses of Livingston, Paradise Valley, Gardiner and Cooke City depend upon visitors to Yellowstone National Park for their local economy (see multiple research reports by economists here). How much? Although there are many reasons to visit Yellowstone, the #1 activity according to Montana's Department of Commerce reports is "wildlife watching". Visitors spend see wolves and they spend approximately $80 million annually (based on calculation of wolf-dependent spending by visitors in 2005 by Duffield et. al, 2008, adjusted for inflation and the percent increase in visitors). Below are comments from visitors to our area on their personal viewpoint on wolves, how much they spend in the area, and thank you's to some of their favorite businesses.
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We come to Yellowstone every year from Kansas City. Stay from 10-14 days.We come to spend time in nature and view wildlife. We've found most of tourists we speak to come to view wolves and bears. The wolves were reestablished for a reason. They are always included in tourist guides as draws.
The excitement we felt watching some wolf pups at their den was beyond compare.
We will probably make our last trip this April. We refuse to support a state that allows the killing of wildlife the way Montana is currently.
We always rental from Airbnb or VRBO. Average cost is 150 nightly. We spend approximately 2000.0 for food and groceries. Gasoline for car approximately 200.
We always stay by the North.
Shout out to Wunderland Cafe in Garnier.
C
Hobbs
64218
Postal Code
My family visited. Yellowstone 30 time in the last 25 year,comincia from Italy
We followed all the north range pack,starting from the Druid up to the junction
We really appreciated the Montana aproach until 2020.
Now all change in the wrong and let me say not intelligent direction
And i am not able to understand Why at least in unit 313 and 316 they decide not to fin a quote.
Around 5000 US dollar a trip,about 150.000 in 25 years in restaurant,lodging,grocery
At the Moment we think that we will spend our money in another way.
M
Sommacal
32020
Postal Code
I can only hope my next trip to Yellowstone in 3 or 4 years there will still be wolves to see. For that, I would spend over $10,000 mainly to experence a wild wolf pack. I know the importance of Apex hunters in providing and maintaining a stable ecosystem. I know how wolves saved the ecosystem of Yellowstone when they were reintroduced in the 1990's I was in Yellowstone in 1987 before the fires and again in 2015. The entire parked looked so much healthier and we saw so many more animals in 2015. The nation, the workd, is watching and it is becoming apparent the numbers of people who disapprove of your type of trophy hunting is growing exponentially.
In the past I have spent 5 - 7 thousand dollars per trip to the area. (3 trips) This included, rental cars, gas, hotels/rentals in multiple areas of the park, meals, souvineres, last minute items purchased in and around the area, multiple guided trips, tips for workers and donating to different funds that are set up in and around the park.
Pretty much every every business I have encountered has been incredible. I hope that as the wolf population is slaughtered, as they are baited across and invisible line, tourists will still want to come and patronize your area.
L
Castaneda
22030
Postal Code
I have visited Yellowstone more than once in the past but will NOT consider visiting again until all hunting of wolves in the region is permanently banned. Visited Montana lots of times.
In the past, used nearby lodging (including West Yellowstone), dined at restaurants in West Yellowstone, filled up with gas in West Yellowstone, probably a few items of merchandise also. Also spent some money in Bozeman and at motel along Madison River. But never again until all wolf hunting is banned.
S
Foster
98668
Postal Code
I am appalled and disappointed in the State of Montana. I visit Yellowstone, Montana and Idaho every summer., but this summer I and others are boycotting your state. How can we possibly spend money in a state with such absurd and outdated hunting/trapping seasons? Why aren't you listening to the biologists and conservationists? The "hunting" on the Gray Wolf is nothing less than slaughter. Go back to last years quota. You are helping to decimate the Yellowstone Wolf population as well as other packs in the area. STOP!!!
We probably spend $2000 - $5000 on restaurants, groceries, rentals, etc every year. Sometimes twice a year.
Thank you to all businesses near Yellowstone for supporting the end to this slaughter.
C
Peckham
84782
Postal Code
When we visit Yellowstone in the future we will plan our routes to AVOID Montana and Idaho, coming in from the south instead. I have been checking the origin of items I buy and, again, avoid buying items sourced from Montana and Idaho. These changes to hunting and trapping laws have lost me as a customer.
Our last trip cost us 7,000 in rentals etc.
D
Hoffmaster
49221
Postal Code
We made our first trip to YNP in August 2020 taking along with us our adult children, their spouses & grandchildren. We stayed 10 days in Montana. The most exciting times were spent viewing wildlife in & around YNP. Our biggest thrill was viewing the Junction Butte Pack near Slough Creek. At 60yrs of age, It was truly an amazing & breathtaking experience to see a Wolf in the Wild for the very first time. Not just 1 or 2 but a pack interacting as they should in the Wild. We enjoyed it so, we looked for them every day of our stay. We booked a trip in 2021 & returning in 2022. You can only imagine how saddened we were to hear of the new hunting laws passed against Wolves. Those same Wolves we watched & so enjoyed are most likely no longer. The Wolf that was once protected & free is no longer free because there is an imaginary line where they are baited to cross to meet sure death. Lawmakers of MT & surrounding States, you got it wrong this time. Listen to the Public Outcry & stop it now!
In 2020 we spent nearly $10,000 on our family vacation which included lodging, groceries, dining, horseback riding, fishing licenses, Guided Fishing trip, UTV rentals, and souvenir's all in the state of Montana between Gardiner and Red Lodge.
While we are just 1 family and it really won't make much difference to those that have voted in these laws against the wolf, It is probably time we take our business elsewhere as it truly is about the wildlife especially the wolves that brings us back each year since our first visit to Montana . With fewer and fewer wolves to view they will be harder to find and more skittish than ever. The real shame is they balanced the ego system upon their return to only be eliminated nearly 30yrs later.
some of our favorite businesses were
Skyline Guest Ranch and Guide Service,
Bearclaw Bob's ATV Rental
Park's Fly Shop
Gardiner Gifts
Stop the Car Trading Post
M
Neeley
77318
Postal Code
I am deeply saddened by what is being allowed to happen to the wolves. As a child my parents and I came to Yellowstone and stayed in Cooke City, MT every year for the entire month of July. From 1972 (my first year there) to 1980. Made numerous trips there after I had my 4 children. The wolves was introduced back into park the same year my last child was born. I know my husband and myself spent many thousands of dollars out there when we would go (8 times). And we drove from Ohio.
average cost of our trips and we drove our own vehicles between 9 to 14 thousand dollars each trip. Won't happen until the slaughter of wolves stops. There is no reason for it and all those trophy hunters that are baiting the wolves to go outside the part should be charged.
L
Koon
78028
Postal Code
In November i came to Bozeman, and then Gardiner to visit Lamar Valley on a wolf watching tour. I planned the trip for months and spent thousands of dollars in airfares, tour guides, food and lodging. Ive been to Yellowstone before, but now I came for one reason: to see the Yellowstone wolves in their natural habitat.I had planned to visit Yellowstone again in June, but now I am reconsidering in that, with the killing of scores of wolves, I am not only deeply disturbed but do not want to once again spend thousands of dollars and come away disappointed that I will not be able to experience a vibrant Yellowstone wolf population. I am just shocked that the state of Montana would approve the killing of so many wolves. I am a hunter and appreciate the sport, but hunting wolves, trapping wolves and baiting wolves is not sport, its just killing for fun.
I have spent thousands of dollars on these endeavors. And will likely not return unless the killing of wolves stops.I will also inform others that considering the conditions, the new wolf hunting regulations, the chances of experiencing seeing wolves will have diminished. As well, it is possible that the Yellowstone wolf population will not survive if the hunting, trapping, and snaring is allowed to continue.
Yellowstone Wolftracker Services, In Our Nature Guiding Services and Reedfly Farms
L
Soury
10022
Postal Code
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