I was wondering if anyone could give me their thoughts on where the wolves have had the worst impact on elk in Idaho? I am planning to hunt over there but dont really want to pick an area that has been eaten alive so to speak. Thanks

TrapperBob,
Here is a map from Id F&G from 2005.
Hope it helps.
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/05_activity.pdf

Thanks

This is the newest link to 2006 data.

http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/annualrpt06/index.htm

The Idaho wolf population has continued to expand in both numbers and packs since initial
reintroductions in 1995 (Figures 3 and 4). By the end of 2006, 72 of 76 documented wolf packs remained extant in Idaho, including 10 of 13 new packs, and a minimum of 415 wolves was observed or monitored by wolf program personnel. Using techniques established in previous years, the Idaho population was estimated at 633 wolves (Appendix A). During the last 2 years, we have been exploring alternative population estimate techniques that are based on the number of documented packs and individuals within the packs, and using a lone wolf correction factor. This new method was peer reviewed by wolf biologists in the northern Rocky Mountains, as well as statisticians from the University of Idaho. The minimum population estimate using the new technique is 673 (Appendix A), and is the official estimate for Idaho for 2007.

The Montana minimum wolf population estimate increased about 19% from 256 wolves in 2005 to 316 in 2006 (minimum increase of 60 wolves) (Figure 3). The number of packs (2 or more wolves) increased from 46 in 2005 to 60 to 2006. The number of breeding pairs in Montana at the end of 2006 was 21.

The total gray wolf (Canis lupus) population in Wyoming increased approximately 23% from
252 wolves in 2005 to 311 wolves in 2006.The wolf population in Wyoming included
Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and the entire state of Wyoming; however, wolf recovery
occurred primarily in the northwest section of the state. The number of wolves in YNP increased 15% from 118 wolves in 2005 to 136 in 2006. Wolf numbers in Wyoming outside YNP increased 31% from 134 wolves in 2005 to 175 wolves in 2006. YNP had 13 packs including 10 breeding pairs producing > 60 pups surviving through December 31. Average pack size in YNP was 10.5 and ranged from 4 to 19 wolves. Wyoming outside YNP had > 23 packs including 15 breeding pairs producing > 58 pups that survived until December 31. Average pack size was 6.7 and ranged from 2 to 13. The wolf population in YNP rebounded 15% in 2006 after a population decline in 2005; however, the overall population in YNP has not increased since 2003. In contrast, wolf numbers in Wyoming outside YNP increased on average >28% each year since 2003.

In the NRM, 2006 marked the sixth consecutive year that 30 or more
breeding pairs and over 300 wolves were documented. The population of 1,300 wolves in over 86 breeding pairs has fully achieved its biological recovery objectives.

quote:

In the NRM, 2006 marked the sixth consecutive year that 30 or more
breeding pairs and over 300 wolves were documented. The population of 1,300 wolves in over 86 breeding pairs has fully achieved its biological recovery objectives.

Full recovery was set at 30 breeding pairs and 300 wolves, which was achieved 5 years ago.....So I guess "biological recovery" has been achieved....