Wolves’ impact debated

The revival of wolves in Idaho has had an impact on Idaho elk, but it’s not the death blow some hunters have imagined, according to Idaho Fish and Game Department aerial surveys.

“Hunters aren’t seeing as many elk and they assume the wolves have eaten them all,” said Tom Keegan, IFG Salmon Region wildlife manager. “But our surveys indicate the main general season Salmon zone is at or above record high elk numbers despite what people say.

“Individual units might be up or down, but overall, the numbers are clearly up.”

It’s true, however, that hunters often are not seeing as many elk in some traditional places, he said. For example, predation has significantly reduced elk numbers in the Lolo zone, studies have confirmed. But in other areas, the wolves have had a greater role in changing elk behavior than in reducing elk numbers.

Ultimately, Idaho Fish and Game wants to manage wolves like other big game animals and use regulated hunting to achieve population goals, said Brad Compton, department big-game manager. But until the wolf is de-listed as a federal endangered species, wolves can be managed only on a case-by-case problem basis, he said.