Topics
Wolves
Summary
Few wildlife conservation efforts have been as controversial as that of the grey wolf in the Northern Rockies. Federal efforts to protect the wolf have clashed with state efforts to control wolf populations and protect livestock and game from predation by wolf packs.
Idaho and Montana have been given federal authority to manage wolf numbers using public hunts. Federal officials require Idaho to maintain a population of at least 150 wolves and 10 breeding pairs.
Idaho wildlife officials have boosted bag limits, expanded trapping and extended hunting seasons in some areas to help further reduce wolf populations in all corners of the state. Its 10-month wolf season runs until June.
Idaho’s wolf managers estimated 500 to 600 wolves roamed the state as of spring 2012, down from the more than 1,000 when the 2011 hunting season opened in August.
Hunters and trappers killed 364 wolves since the 2011 season opened, while dozens more wolves have died of natural causes or been killed for preying on livestock or targeted as part of a strategy to lessen impacts on specific elk herds in the state.
A federal appeals court in March rejected a lawsuit from conservation groups that wanted to block wolf hunts across the Northern Rockies. The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Congress had the right to intervene when it stripped protections from wolves in spring 2011.
Lawmakers stepped in after court rulings kept wolves on the endangered list for years after they reached recovery goals. Wildlife advocates claimed in their lawsuit that Congress violated the separation of powers by interfering with the courts. But the court said Congress was within its rights, and that lawmakers had appropriately amended the Endangered Species Act to deal with Northern Rockies wolves.
There are more than 1,700 wolves in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and expanding populations in portions of Eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. Wolf hunting could resume in Wyoming this fall.
In parts of Montana, ranchers and local officials frustrated with continuing attacks on livestock have proposed bounties for hunters that kill wolves. Montana wildlife officials said they will consider ways to expand hunting after 166 wolves were killed this season, short of the state’s 220-wolf quota.
Wolves once thrived across North America but were exterminated across most of the continental U.S. by the 1930s, through government sponsored poisoning and bounty programs.
Wolves were put on the endangered list in 1974. Over the last two decades, state and federal agencies have spent more than $100 million on wolf restoration programs across the country. There are more than 4,500 of the animals in the upper Great Lakes and a struggling population of several dozen wolves in the Desert Southwest.
Prior lawsuits resulted first in the animals’ reintroduction to the Northern Rockies and then later kept them on the endangered list for a decade after the species reached recovery goal of 300 wolves in three states.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is monitoring the hunts. But agency officials have said they have no plans to intervene because the states have pledged to manage wolves responsibly.
Federal officials have pledged to step in to restore endangered species protections if wolf numbers drop to less than 100 animals in either Montana or Idaho.
Even without hunting, wolves are shot regularly in the region in response to livestock attacks. Since their reintroduction, more than 1,600 wolves have been shot by government wildlife agents or ranchers.
Latest updates in this topic
Idaho’s new wolf law has prompted a petition that could re-list the animals as endangered
Critics of an Idaho wolf law approved earlier this month have launched a petition that could reinstate Endangered Species Act protections for wolves that were lifted a decade ago.
Bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho wolves signed by governor
Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law a measure that could lead to killing 90% of the state’s 1,500 wolves in a move that was backed by hunters and …
Waiting game begins for potential vetoes from Idaho governor
BOISE — Idaho lawmakers have started their waiting game to see whether Republican Gov. Brad Little vetoes any of the more than 30 bills that remained unsigned when the House …
Critics say Idaho bill would kill 90% of wolves. Hunters, wildlife experts have other worries
“We need to talk about what’s happening in Idaho,” announces Wren Woodson, her face greenscreened over an image of a wolf in snow.
Ex-wildlife managers want veto of Idaho wolf-killing bill
Nearly 30 retired state, federal and tribal wildlife managers sent a letter Wednesday to Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little asking him to veto a bill backed by agricultural interests that …
Bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho wolves heads to governor
BOISE – The Idaho House on Tuesday approved legislation allowing the state to hire private contractors and expand methods to kill wolves roaming Idaho – a measure that could cut …
Washington’s wolf population grew at least 24% in 2020, majority of wolves still concentrated in northeast
There are a minimum of 178 wolves in Washington, according to new information from state and tribal biologists published Friday.
Legislation aims to kill 90% of wolves roaming Idaho
BOISE, Idaho — A Republican-dominated state Senate committee on Tuesday approved legislation allowing the state to hire private contractors to kill about 90% of the wolves roaming Idaho.
Washington state range riding program reworked in advance of coming wolf season
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has reworked its range riding program, partly in response to allegations of fraud from 2018.
Video highlights longterm Washington study examining the complicated relationship between wolves, prey and other predators
Wolves. Cougars. Bears. Prey and, oh my, people.That complicated configuration of animals is the subject of a newly released Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife video focusing on the ongoing …
Montana governor gets warning in killing of Yellowstone wolf
Montana’s governor was given a warning by state wildlife officials after killing a radio-collared wolf near Yellowstone National Park in February without first taking a mandated trapping education course.
Legislation aims to drastically reduce Idaho wolf population
BOISE – A house panel on Tuesday introduced legislation allowing the use of snowmobiles, ATVs, powered parachutes and other methods to hunt and kill wolves year-round and with no limits …
Idaho wolf population remains stable, despite more hunting, trapping
Idaho’s wolf population remained stable between 2019 and 2020 despite 53% more human-caused mortality, according to an Idaho Fish and Game population estimate.
Wolves killed in suspected poaching near Oregon border
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is looking for information after two wolves were reportedly poached near the Oregon border, according to a news release.
Genetics study shows why some Yellowstone wolves dodge mange
After 25 years of inbreeding, Yellowstone National Park’s wolves are becoming more genetically similar, researchers have found.
Study: Depleted wolf packs unlikely to welcome immigrants
Footloose and unaffiliated wolves don’t often integrate with established packs, even when there is room for them to do so.
How to count a wolf: WDFW video features stunning aerial perspective
How do you count one of the more elusive ground animals? Very carefully.
Tight Colorado wolf initiative may trigger recount
An initiative to reintroduce wolves to Colorado was barely passing and possibly headed toward a recount, Wednesday.
Range riding standards set in updated Wolf-Livestock Interaction Protocol
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf Advisory Group (WAG) recently unanimously approved recommended amendments to the Wolf-livestock Interaction Protocol in order to standardize the efforts of range riders …
Gov. Inslee directs drafting of new rules for wolf management
Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday directed the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to draft new rules governing the department’s lethal removal of wolves involved in conflicts with livestock.
WDFW kills last two wolves in Wedge pack territory
The last two wolves in the Wedge Wolf Pack territory have been killed after investigations showed the pack was responsible for 16 depredations of cattle in Stevens County, according to …
WDFW removes Tim Coleman from wolf advisory group; Lethal removal order issued for Leadpoint Pack
A member of the state’s Wolf Advisory Group has been dismissed from the committee by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind in the latest twist of hotly …
WDFW reauthorizes lethal action in Wedge wolf pack territory
On Tuesday, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind reauthorized WDFW staff to lethally remove wolves from the Wedge pack territory in response to what the department has …
In brief: Impact statement paves way for mining operation in Bristol Bay
On Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Pebble Mine, a large-scale gold and copper mine proposed for the headwaters of …
WDFW lethally removes wolf from Wedge pack in Stevens County
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lethally removed an adult, nonbreeding female member of the Wedge wolf pack in Northeast Washington on Monday, reducing the pack to two known …
WDFW authorizes lethal action in Wedge wolf pack territory
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind on Thursday, July 23, authorized WDFW staff to lethally remove a wolf from the Wedge pack territory in response to what …
Endangered species could benefit from NFL name change
Ron Sutherland isn’t much of a football fan, but he has an interest in what Washington’s NFL team chooses as a replacement for its soon-to-be-retired name. The franchise’s decision could …
In brief: Conservation group asks for standardization of range riding procedures
The Lands Council issued a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee’s office this week calling upon the governor’s office to mandate WDFW’s standardization of the practice of range riding to protect …
WDFW: Wolf depredations confirmed in Leadpoint pack territory, more nonlethal deterrents deployed
On June 19, WDFW staff conducted investigations of four injured calves in a private pasture in Stevens County. These incidents occurred within the Leadpoint pack territory.
WDFW authorizes lethal removal of Ferry County wolves for second time in a year
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife authorized the lethal removal of wolves in Ferry County’s Kettle River mountain range on Friday.
WDFW director reauthorizes lethal action in Togo wolf pack territory
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind on Friday reauthorized WDFW staff to lethally remove wolves from the Togo pack territory in response to what the department has …
Missouri family has frightening encounter with Yellowstone wolf
BILLINGS – It took Ashley VanZant about an hour to stop shaking from the adrenaline rush.