WILDLIFE -- With crusty snow making it difficult for deer and elk to feed and move, it's not surprising that reports of wolves in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area seem to be increasing.

"We have no confirmations, but it wouldn't surprise me," said Wayne Wakkinen, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional wildlife manager. "Elk and deer are on the Rathdrum prairie and we know of wolves on Rathdrum Mountain. They'll go where the food is."

The hardpack snow conditions are giving predators an advantage as they can run on top of the snow while deer and elk flounder as they post-hole through the crust.

Several callers have also reported hearing wolves or seeing tracks they believe were made by wolves in the Rockford to Freeman areas.