Idaho Wolf Management

by Allison Jones

Since the reestablishment of wolves in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, there has been a great deal of controversy over how to manage them.  The legal struggle involved the temporary re-listing of wolves on the endangered species list for 2010. 

In order to keep the federal government from re-listing wolves again in the future, Idaho must have at least 15 breeding pairs and 150 individual wolves.  The 2010 Annual Report on Wolf Conservation and Management in Idaho prepared by the Nez Perce tribe wolf program staff  found the population to contain a minimum of 705 wolves in 87 packs with 46 breeding pairs.  Idaho Fish and Game currently has radio collars on 70 wolves and there are more than 1000 individuals in Idaho.  Southern Idaho has no documented packs, but dispersing individuals do pass through the area.

The stated goal for wolf management in Idaho is to “manage wolves to reduce conflicts, ensure a self sustaining wolf population, and maintain state management authority.”

Wolves provide a necessary check on elk and deer populations, but they also come into conflict with humans.  Aspen saplings in Yellowstone were completely destroyed by hungry elk before the reintroduction of wolves, but now saplings are able to survive because the elk are kept in check by their predators. 

The ecosystem is healthier with wolves present.  But some wolves also prey on domestic livestock.  In 2010, 75 cattle and 148 sheep were confirmed wolf kills.  The individuals or packs responsible were killed to protect the livestock.  Most of the wolves killed in 2010 were legally shot by civilians who caught them preying on their herds.

Another conflict with humans arises out of the competition for game animals between hunters and wolves.  By Idaho law IDFG must manage elk, deer, and other wildlife for a surplus that can be harvested by the public.  While there are nonlethal measures possible for controlling our excess population of wolves, none are practical on a large scale.  The preferred method of management is to allow the harvest of excess wildlife by hunting and trapping. 

The number of wolves harvested is closely monitored by IDFG, but based on past experience, both in Idaho and reports from Canada and Alaska, they are not worried about over harvesting the wolf population.  There are limits in the areas necessary for maintaining a contiguous population and reporting each harvest is mandatory within 72 hours.  In order to make sure that the population is able to sustain itself, harvest seasons are planned so that they do not overlap with active denning.  This ensures that pups won't be orphaned and will survive to replace those harvested.

  

More specific information about Idaho's wolf population can be found on the Idaho Fish and Game site.