Concerns About Wild Wolf Attacks in Idaho

In a recent letter to the editor in the Idaho Statesman, one of the authors was concerned about the danger of wolves in Idaho, and were considering not riding their horses in the mountains. Certainly wolves are a wild animal and can be dangerous but there are many dangers in the mountains including rushing rivers, rolling rocks, falling trees, lightning, mountain lions, bears, bees and moose. You have to put these threats and dangers into perspective. Take a look at attacks by domestic dogs, which by some estimates there are 26 people killed every year. The number of wolf attacks in the United States per year, averages just about zero. Now granted there are many more domestic dogs than wolves but the bottom line is domestic dogs have no fear of humans. Wolves generally fear humans, and will stay away, but they are curious and sometimes and will approach people. I personally feel safer in the mountains than strolling around town. Hiking and hunting in the wild Idaho is all about looking at the scenery and wild animals. You have to be wise to the woods and take precautions but seeing a bear or wolf is a real thrill.

Idaho Fish and Game Commission Sets Wolf Hunt

Photo Credit: Alan Wilson; Naturespicsonline.com

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission (IDFG) recently announced the quota's for the fall wolf hunt in Idaho, and there will be a statewide harvest of 220 animals, out of a total estimated population of 740 wolves. Separate quotas have been established by hunting zone and once the quota is met then hunting will be suspended in that unit. Tags will go on sale on Monday and the hunt will commence on Tuesday. If the harvest levels are met it reduce the Idaho wolf population by about 25%. This announcement has already been challenged by the Defenders of Wildlife, which will seek and injunction. In comparison the State of Montana annouced a wolf harvest limit that would take at the most, 15% of the total wolf population.

IDFG and other State of Idaho officials have been inconsistent in previous announcements concerning the wolf harvest, with some officials supporting a kill of over 400 animals.

Establishing a hunt for wolves is a good idea, if the take of wolves is regulated to keep harvest levels in line with what the total wolf population can support. Killing 25% of the wolves in Idaho is not sustainable and will result in a decrease of wolf populations across the State of Idaho.

Hunters have a great deal of stake in this issue and having their support to keep a viable wolf population is critical. The numbers of elk and deer populations have been fairly stable for the last 10 years, in the face of increasing wolf packs. This is because the wolves kill animals that would normally die anyway of starvation, disease or winter kill. Where wolf packs exist in Idaho the herds of elk and deer are much stronger because the weaker animals have been culled, and the big game animals are better able to survive predator attacks, disease and long winters.

There is great irony in the number set for harvest of 220 wolves in Idaho. In comparison the entire wolf population of Yellowstone Park was estimated at 128 animals, in 2008. Do the citizens of Idaho support the kill of 220 wolves, which is nearly twice the total population of the wolves in Yellowstone Park? I think not.

A wolf kill of 220 for Idaho is not sustainable nor reasonable, and the IDFG would be be wise to follow the lead of the State of Montana. It is not likely that hunters will harvest the maximum number of wolves allowed, but setting those numbers so high, is not wise. The howls will follow.