Wolf numbers rise in northwest

By The Associated Press

GREAT FALLS - State wildlife officials are reporting significant increases in the number of verified wolf packs and individual wolves in northwestern Montana.

The news comes as the Interior Department prepares to remove the northern Rockies wolf population from the endangered and threatened-species list.

From 2005 to 2006, the number of verified packs in northwestern Montana rose by 63 percent, and individual wolves rose by 27 percent, said Kent Laudon, a wolf management specialist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

In its annual wolf activity analysis, to be released next month, FWP will report that the state documented at least 31 packs and a minimum of 160 animals in northwestern Montana through Dec. 31, 2006.

That's up from 19 packs and 126 individuals verified in 2005.


http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/05_activity.pdf

I remember a couple of weeks back, someone saying:

quote:

Originally posted by Snapper:
They would certainly have updated the map to include your 6 packs if there actualy were wolves there.

So which is it???

Are wolves increasing?? Or are they not??

Or are they increasing when it suits your argument-- but not when it it doesn't???

Your linked 2005 map (I'll do the math for you-- 2007-2005=2; 2 years ago...) shows a single observed and multiple observed just north (thats "up" as you look at the map) of Lewiston. Hmmmmmmmmm.........

.....Zumbo is getting boring now anyway.......

Lets argue about wolves some more!!

IV

quote:

Originally posted by Snapper:
They would certainly have updated the map to include your 6 packs if there actualy were wolves there.

Your linked 2005 map (I'll do the math for you-- 2007-2005=2; 2 years ago...) shows a SINGLE observed and multiple observed just north (thats "up" as you look at the map) of Lewiston. Hmmmmmmmmm.........

It's your biologists over there that can't find your 6 packs. They don't even list any suspected packs in your area.

Wolf numbers were counted in ID through 2005 and the map posted less than 1 year ago in March of 06. Lets see, December 2005 to Feb 07 would be 14 months, not two years unless your using some sort of new math.

Either your biologists can't count to 6 or they are hiding the wolves.

Can't wait to hunt them.

quote:

Originally posted by Snapper:

Can't wait to hunt them.

On that, we can agree.... In honor of Mr.Z's comments as of late-- I plan on using my AR....

Maybe they can't count (I'll have to go down the hall and ask them-- at times I tend to agree with you on that point)6 is probably an underestimation-- wolves are already moving into NE Washington, I have seen tracks while treeing Mt.Lions. It will be 3-5 years before any of the "maps" reflect this (although they were probably roaming from Canada)

IV

I spoke with WY game and fish on Thursday about their new online application process. Just to ask, I brought up wolves and wolf hunting there. The lady said that what she understood is that "it won't be long before they are removed from ES and WY will be open to harvesting wolves."

You guys shouldn't argue about wolf numbers anyway. I think we all agree that they are increasing, and substantially in some areas, and therefore, some need to be hunted/killed....and their skins should adorn my home.

+1

Wolves, we got Wolves. Here in the NE Arrowhead region of MN we have thousands of Timber Wolves. The State of MN was supposed to get managing control of the Timber Wolf when the population reached 1500. That didn't happen and never will. The wolf population here is out of control and growing fast.

What is MN planning on doing about it? I'd much rather drive there to kill a few in lieu of way out west.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
What is MN planning on doing about it? I'd much rather drive there to kill a few in lieu of way out west.

The Fed's were supposed to turn control (population management) back to the state when the population reached 1500. The magic 1500 was reached over two decades ago. The state has been fighting with the Fed's about this for years. As soon as the evironmentalists hear words like "Trapping" "Hunting" "Population Reduction" all efforts to control the wolves are on hold.

At present the State of MN has no plans to do anything. The wolf population is controled by the Fed's.

If you want to hunt Timbers head up to Ontario. Last time I was there Timbers were fair game with nothing more than a "Small Game" lic.

Doc

I would be surprized if she even knows what she is talking about, since the Wyoming state legislation just ended with no wolf plan set to the USFW liking.

Steve

Your problem with wolves down there can be somewhat corrected by adhering to the three "S" rule: Shoot,shovel and shut up. As I have previously stated, the last part is the hardest.