Idaho Has a Minimum of 843 Wolves
Idaho’s first wolf hunt wraps up
Idaho Fish and Game News Release, March 29, 2010 [here]
At the end of the day Wednesday, March 31, Idaho’s first regulated wolf season closes statewide.
The season already has closed in seven of 12 wolf zones, and as of March 29, hunters have taken 185 wolves. The harvest limit is 220.
“The season has succeeded in halting the growth of Idaho’s wolf population,” Fish and Game Director Cal Groen said. “It showed that Fish and Game is capable of monitoring and managing a well-regulated wolf hunt.”
The hunt also showed that fears of wholesale slaughter of wolves were unfounded, Groen said. Hunters exhibited good compliance with the rules and with check-in and call-in requirements. …
At the end of 2009, Idaho had a minimum of 843 wolves in 94 packs, and 49 packs are considered breeding pairs. The average pack size was 7.8 wolves. A total of 142 wolves are radio-collared.
In addition to hunter harvest, 138 wolves were killed in livestock depredation control actions and from other causes. … [more]