The Idaho Fish & Game has released its annual wolf population data. Each year the IDFG gathers wolf population data from trail cameras spread out across the state. Likewise, the state does aerial counts of the wolf population. The IDFG gathers data from August to August then takes several months to look over the data and then releases their findings each winter. In 2019 and 2020 the IDFG reported that the minimum wolf population was 1,556 and 1,566 animals respectively.
During the 2021 count wildlife officials have found that the wolf population seems to be remaining stable. From the 2021 count, the minimum wolf population estimate is being reported as 1,543 wolves.
As stated above, after the data is gathered, the IDFG then inspects the known mortality rate of wolves in the state. Documented mortality from July 1st through Dec. 31st, 2021, was 300 wolves, which is 37 more than July through December of 2020. However, that is 36 fewer than the same period in 2019, which was a record year for wolf harvest. Wolf mortality in Idaho over the last 5 years (2016 through 2020) has averaged 436 wolves annually. Most wolf mortality comes from hunters and trappers, however, some wolf mortality comes from old age, vehicle incidents, etc.
The IDFG also noted in their report that the state has enough wolves to meet The Federal Fish and Wildlife Service’s delisting rule for the entire Northern Rocky Mountain recovery area. Currently, the Federal rule calls for there to be at least 1,100 wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain recovery area. Likewise, the state has a current management plan to lower the wolf population down to 500 animals. The state feels that this plan will effectively lower livestock incidents and elk predation to a more reasonable number.
You can read more about this report by clicking here. Likewise, you can read more Idaho hunting news by clicking here.
