Home Idaho IDAHO EXTENDS WOLF SEASONS

IDAHO EXTENDS WOLF SEASONS

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Written By: Casey Rash

February 21, 2020

IDAHO EXTENDS WOLF SEASONS – Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) released an “effective immediately” press release on Thursday morning, Feb. 20, 2020. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission moved to adopt nine modifications to wolf hunting and trapping. The modifications include extending current wolf hunting opportunities, open more areas to trapping wolves and extening the trapping season. These changes affect the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons.

Not to mention, the possibility of year round wolf hunting in Idaho.

“The Commission has incrementally and consistently increased wolf hunting and trapping seasons for more than a decade in response to livestock depredations and impacts to other big game species.”
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game Press Release

Idaho Wolf Population Health

In January, 2020, IDFG released a statewide wolf population estimate. Using game cameras and other remote monitoring, they are able to reliably estimate the state’s wolf population at approximately 1,541 in summer of 2019. That number went down to approximately 1,000 by the end of 2019. Federal recovery criteria is 150 wolves and 15 breeding pairs statewide.

“…the 2019 estimate showed the wolf population remains well above the federal recovery criteria.”
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game Press Release

Depredation Continues

The wolf population is doing well, resulting in continued depredation. The situation is described as “chronic” in northern areas of the state. If the wolves move into southern Idaho, the same can be expected there. IDFG indicates they would like to see less wolf impact on wildlife.

Public Comment

IDFG provided a 14-day comment period and received 27,076 comments. Only 20%, 5,675, came from Idaho residents. Among resident comments, about 55% were in favor and 45% opposed.

“When all 27,076 comments were tallied, between 15 and 16 percent (depending on the proposal) supported them, and 84 to 85 percent opposed, with the majority of responses coming from outside of Idaho and many coming from outside of the U.S.”
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game Press Release

Do you think this was a good move for Idaho residents and wildlife?

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