Wolf Watch


WOLF WATCH 
188

 

wolves killed during Idaho's wolf hunt
statewide limit: 220
season ended: 3/31/10

Current News:

Commissioners for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will hold their monthly meeting in Idaho Falls August 16. The meeting is of particular interest because regulations for the next wolf hunting season are on the agenda. The state is going forward with plans for another wolf hunt, but a decision at the federal level may close the hunt before it opens.

Montana wildlife officials voted to approve a raise in the state wolf kill quota from 75 to 186 for this year's hunt. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks estimates that would reduce the number of wolves in Montana by 8 to 20 percent. The commission approved the increase July 8. They also created an archery hunt for wolves.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy started hearing arguments June 15, 2010 in the lawsuit over removing wolves from the Endangered Species List. Fall hunts for 2010 could hinge on his decision.

More stats:

Idaho Fish & Game sold 30,619 resident wolf tags and 781 nonresident tags for the seven-month season that ran from September 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010.

Of the wolves taken, 58 percent were male, and 15 percent were juveniles less than one year old. Resident hunters took about 86 percent of the wolves. Twelve of the wolves checked in wore radio collars. 

Most of the wolves were shot in October and the fewest in January. Two wolves were taken in the Southern Idaho zone, and 49 were taken in the Sawtooth zone.

At the end of 2009, Idaho had a minimum of 843 wolves in 94 packs, and 49 packs are considered breeding pairs. The average pack size was 7.8 wolves. A total of 142 wolves are radio-collared. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission objective is to manage wolves at the 2005 population level when the year ended with 518 wolves.