Idaho Fish & Game Commission Sets Wolf Hunt Limits

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, Monday, August 17, set harvest limits for Idaho’s first public wolf hunting season this fall.

Fish and Game models indicate Idaho now has at least 1,000 wolves. The population increases at a rate of about 20 percent a year, without hunting.

The commissioners adopted a strategy that would help meet the state’s wolf population objective, as outlined in the 2008 Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan.

Hunters will be allowed to take up to 220 wolves this fall and winter. Wolf tags go on sale at 10 a.m. August 24, at all license vendors. A resident tag costs $11.75, and a nonresident tag costs $186.

One of the commission’s top considerations is retaining state management of Idaho’s growing wolf population. Idaho has an approved wolf management plan, developed with public involvement. The plan was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and found acceptable by a federal judge.

The commissioners’ decision is consistent with the population goals set out in the plan.

In 1995 and 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced 35 wolves to central Idaho. Since then they have increased in numbers and expanded their distribution.

Fish and Game has a responsibility to manage those wolves in balance with their prey and their habitat – just as the agency manages other fish and wildlife species. As with other species, hunting seasons on wolves would be part of managing the population.

A wolf hunting season gives Idaho Fish and Game an opportunity to learn how public hunting fits into managing wolves. As Fish and Game learns how effective regulated hunting is, seasons can be adjusted in areas where wolves are causing unacceptable problems for big game herds or domestic livestock.

Wolf managers will use the harvest limits the same way already used effectively with other species that Fish and Game manages. When limits are reached, the season ends.

The commissioners set harvest limits for each of the state’s 12 wolf management zones. When the limit is reached in a zone, the season would close in that zone.

Commissioners want to manage the wolf population toward the 2005 level of 520 wolves through regulated hunting (five-times higher than the federal recovery goal). The 2005 wolf population figure was used as a target number because wolf conflicts both with wildlife and livestock increased significantly that year.

Wolves in Idaho and Montana were removed from the endangered species list in May and have been managed under state law since then. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rule delisting wolves, however, faces challenges in federal court. The outcome of those challenges could affect Idaho wolf hunting season.

good deal

It's about time!!!

Its about time, cant wait to get my tag, I hear them all the time while elk hunting. Now it gives me a chance to hunt more than elk.

I sure hope we get to hunt them. The time is now!

Good for Idaho!

Let's see, a quota of about 22% of the population? Good luck with that!! I'd be very interested to see the "success ratio" of this "project". Looks like it's just another income scheme by the F7G Dep't. to raise funds.
I would bet success ratio comes out to about 5% or so - if that.
The genie has been let out of the bottle, guys and it's gonna be very tough to put it back. I think it better that Idaho just considered them "varmints" and there was no closed season and no tags necessary for you residents. Kinda like we have here in Ak. even tho we do have a limit.
Just my impression and far be it for me to tell Idaho how to manage their game. God knows we have too much of that here in Ak. as it is. Anyway, good luck. Bear in Fairbanks

I wouldn't hold my breath just yet.
F and G anticipates selling 70k tags so at $11 a pop that's some serious jack.
I know I'll buy a tag for kicks.
I spend as much time in the woods as most anyone and I've got to say I've only heard one, never seen one.
The dumb ones will get shot and the rest will get smart real quick.

IFG wants over $200 for a Non-Resident Tag, so this is really more of a revenue play than a management tool. I agree with Bear that if they harvest 10% of the 220 wolves it will be a big number. Once you take a shot at a pack, they aren't going to be just hanging around. I think it's great though to have a chance at one, as it is much, much more likely that you could run into a wolf in a "shootable" situation just hunting elk or deer than a cougar. It will also create some good revenue opportunities for outfitters in various areas, such as the Middle Fork, where they will be able to sell wolf hunts and possibly combination wolf and cat hunts. Hell, the guys with the dogs, can use the dogs to tree a cat and call in the wolves all at the same time. Don't laugh...it happened last year. The guy with the dogs had a cat treed and the wolves showed up. He couldn't leave and find bring the hunter, who was trailing behind, because his dogs would have been attacked by the wolves. He finally had to collar the dogs and take them off the cat, let the cat (a very big tom) go and back out with the wolves trailing close behind. You can bet that won't happen this year.....

As I've written before, why don't you Idaho guys just institute the 3-S Program? Shoot, shovel & shutup.
Bear in Fairbanks

quote:

Originally posted by Bear in Fairbanks:
As I've written before, why don't you Idaho guys just institute the 3-S Program? Shoot, shovel & shutup.
Bear in Fairbanks

I believe that program is available year-round in Idaho!

13 "conservation groups" filed suit in Boise today to stop the wolf hunt this year. These groups think even one dead wolf is too much. They make me sick!

Wolf Tags Go on Sale Monday

Idaho Fish and Game will start selling wolf tags at 10 a.m. Monday, August 24.

A hunter may buy only one tag at a cost of $11.50 for residents and $186 for nonresidents. A tag is good for one wolf, which may be taken in any one of the 12 wolf hunt zones in Idaho.

Hunters can buy those tags at any Fish and Game office, license vendor, by telephone at 800-554-8685, or online at https://id.outdoorcentral.us/. The process is the same as buying a license or big game tag for other species, including deer, elk, black bear or mountain lion.

The hunter must have a valid 2009 Idaho hunting license to buy a tag. A printed brochure containing the 2009 wolf hunting rules and seasons is available from license vendors. The rules also are available on the Fish and Game Web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/wolf/.

Because of potential legal action, however, some hunters may be unable to hunt wolves for which they bought tags in Idaho. A request for an injunction has been filed with a U.S. District Court in Montana. If granted the injunction would block the wolf hunt in Idaho.

The timing is still unknown.

If the wolf season is blocked before September 1, hunters who have bought a wolf tag would be eligible for a refund. If the season is blocked on or before October 9, hunters who can show in good faith they did not hunt may be eligible for a refund.

The hunter must submit a request for refund by December 31 on a Fish and Game form along with the original wolf tag. Requests received after December 31 would not be eligible for a refund.

This refund process applies to the 2009 wolf hunt season only.

All refunds will be for the amount paid for the tag. Refunds can be in the form of a check or an Idaho Fish and Game gift certificate. Requests must be submitted to: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Wolf Tag Refund Request; P. O. Box 25; Boise, Idaho 83707.

The refund policy and refund request forms are available from Fish and Game and on the Fish and Game Web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/wolf/.

That is a lot better than Montana's $350 for non-residents. Who do I send bullets to?....................LOL

Whoa there!!! What a money maker for Idaho & Montana.
Let's see here:
Nonres. Idaho wolf tag = $186
Nonres. Montana wolf tag = $350

You boys oughta be beating a path to our door. A nonres. Ak. hunting license = $85.00 and a nonres. wolf tag = $30.00 - $115 total. Unless you're a ronresident alien, you don't even need a guide. On top of all that, according to the regs., a tag isn't even needed for wolves in GMU's 9,12,13,16,19,20,and 25. Check out pg. 10 of the currebnt regs. for more info.
Geez, what a moneymaker for Idaho & Mont.
Bear in Fairbanks

I bought my Idaho wolf tag this morning and am very pleased about that. As a long time Idaho resident (64 years), I have waited about 12 years for this day.

I was number 2 in line at my local F&G sales location this morning at 10:00 AM when wolf tags went on sale on-line. The guy in front of me got tag number 301...that's about 30 seconds after they went on sale. I got tag number 409 about 2 minutes later. Given what the wolf packs have done to our elk herds in this state, it's not surprising at all that there are a good number of folks who would like to hunt wolves.

So far as the "greenie weenies" and their endless injuctions, this time trying to stop the hunt, they may well succeed. If so, I'll not request a refund for the tag and will instead frame and hang it on the wall. It will serve as a reminder that regardless of repetitive challenges by the environmental extremists, its's becoming evident to even the casual observer that the wolf population in this state is out of control. I think even the 9th Circuit will face up to that fact in the very near future.

It's been a very good day, and I cannot adequately describe what a good feeling it is to finally have that wolf tag in my pocket after all these years.

I feel for you guy's, this same thing is becoming a problem here in Ontario,canada.I used to be able to shoot timberwolf's , with no limit a few year's ago.(no charge) But in the last few year's you have to pay $15.00 per tag , max of 2.I have hunted moose since 1969 every year up here, and have yet to put my sight's on a timberwolf. Good luck , i hope you's do better than i have. Rick.

P.S., i lied, i have had my sight's on Red Wolf's in the Algonquin area, but your not allowed to shoot them.The tree hugger's won out on that one.

I will be picking up my tag today

the rules state--no electronic calls or use of bait for wolves.

it is OK for coyotes though

so I guess I will hunt coyotes------if a wolf comes in----that is his problem

Fish and Game Seeks Information on Dead Wolves

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is investigating the deaths of six juvenile wolves on national forest land north of Fairfield.

Fish and Game conservation officers found the partially decomposed wolves on Friday, August 21.

Preliminary necropsies have been performed. But the cause of death is still unknown. Additional test results are forthcoming.

Anyone with information is asked to the Citizens’ Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999, or Fish and Game’s Magic Valley regional office at 208-324-4359. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward for information leading to a citation or conviction.

Yeah, that was on the news last night. Wolves were found up near Fairfield. News report said no obvious signs that they were shot, but who knows.

I bought my tag this morning--at $11 figured it'd be a nice souvenir.

over 8500 permits have been sold as of noon 8-27-09
to bad only 225 wolves can be shot

I'll get my tag too. I only hope we'll be allowed to use them!

Attention Wolf Hunters:

A hearing in federal court on Monday, August 31, could result in an injunction halting Idaho’s wolf hunt.

Scheduled wolf hunting seasons in the Lolo and Sawtooth wolf zones open Tuesday, September 1. The injunction, if granted, may affect these and later hunts.

Hunters are asked to check the Idaho Fish and Game Web site at: http://fishadngame.idaho.gov, or call the toll free wolf hunt information number 1-877-872-3190 before their hunt.

Elk Foundation Files Motion to Intervene in Wolf Litigation

MISSOULA, Mont.The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has filed a motion in Missoula federal court to enter an amicus curiae brief supporting state-regulated wolf hunting in Idaho and Montana. If the motion is granted by U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy, RMEF documents will be considered in Molloys decision on whether to allow or stop the hunt.

A hearing is scheduled for Monday and a ruling could follow soon afterward.

A coalition of 13 environmental groups filed an emergency injunction asking Molloy to stop the planned hunt and return wolves to the endangered species list.

Long gone are the days when species like elk, bears and wolves can go completely unmanaged. We dont live in a zoo and this isnt the old West. It is frustrating that Americas wildlife conservation system, which has worked wonderfully well since the time of Theodore Roosevelt, has been reduced to a legal chess match, said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

Allen said the Elk Foundations brief reinforces four main points:

*Historic success of modern, hunter-based conservation in North America.

*Viewpoints of hunters who continue to pay for the big-game resources that made wolf recovery possible.

*RMEF-funded research, along with other scientific and anecdotal evidence, showing that wolf populations are fully recovered and that, where wolves are present with elk, wolves are having detrimental impacts on elk.

*State wildlife agencies are best suited to manage wolves alongside other species.


Allen urged Wyoming and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work together on a mutually agreeable wolf management plan to help clear a legal path to regulated wolf hunting in The Cowboy State.

Good for the RMEF! I'm very glad to see this, thanks for the post.

even if judge molloy halts the hunt,you fellas in idaho make use of those tags.
its the only way you will get your elk herds back.
we in wyoming will not be held hostage by politics and dog shit dumb federal judges.
the season opened for us the day they refused to include us in the new delisting.
if the feds won't use "real" science to make policy we can take care of the "problem"
good luck to all of you and don't stop shooting when 1 hits the ground.

Idaho Wolf Hunt is On – For Now

Fraught with uncertainty, Idaho’s first regulated wolf hunt will be under way as planned, opening in the Lolo and Sawtooth wolf zones Tuesday, September 1.

Late Monday, August 31, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy of the U.S. District Court in Missoula had issued no decision on a preliminary injunction that would have returned the wolf to federal endangered species protection.

Following a three-hour hearing, Molloy took the issue under advisement. He said he would rule soon.

“By taking the issue under advisement, Judge Malloy gives Idaho an opportunity to further demonstrate that we are and will continue to successfully manage the species,” Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter said Monday. “We have a sound, data-driven management plan in place, and we keep our promises. As the Idaho Department of Fish and Game implements that plan, which includes a hunting season, I am confident the judge will recognize that our sportsmen, ranchers, farmers – and indeed, all Idahoans – are responsible stewards of Idaho’s wildlife, including wolves.”

If the judge issues a ruling that affects Idaho wolf hunts, Idaho Fish and Game will notify hunters. Hunters are asked to check the Fish and Game Web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov, or call the toll-free wolf hunt information number 1-877-872-3190 before their hunt.

The injunction was sought by parties to a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the endangered species list earlier this year.

If legal action closes the season before October 9, Idaho Fish and Game would issue refunds to hunters who bought tags and can show they didn’t hunt. The wolf tag refund policy and request form are available from Fish and Game and the agency’s Web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/wolf/.

quote:

...and we keep our promises.

Nice dig Butch.

two wolves were shot yesterday. One in Lolo zone and one up by bull trout lake in sawtooth zone.

and we had temps in he valley of 95 probably in the 80's up in the hills.

Forget dove hunting, I'm heading up to the hills this weekend.

Robert MIlage's rifle with the first reported wolf killed in Idaho Photo: AP

US wolf hunt begins despite legal challenge
The first legal wolf hunt in 30 years has started in America's Rocky Mountains.
Telegraph.uk
02 Sep 2009

Hunters in Idaho could begin shooting wolves in select districts in the central and northern mountains from Tuesday this week.

However, state officials were still waiting for the first wolf kill report and an estimate of the number of hunters in pursuit of the predators.

The hunt began as US District Judge Donald Molloy considered a request for an injunction by environmental and animal protection groups to halt the killing in Idaho and Montana.

The wolves were removed from the endangered species list in the two states in May.

Montana's season is scheduled to begin Sept. 15. Hunters there began buying wolf tags Monday.

Idaho set a quota of 220 wolves this season as part of its plan for managing the population.

Under the terms of the tagging system, wolves of either sex may be shot, though kills must be reported to the authorities within 24 hours and the skull and hide presented to federal officials within four days after that. Baiting of the animals is not allowed.

Earthjustice, an environmental group that is leading the legal case for continuing to protect the wolves, argues that renewed hunting could disrupt the flow of wolf populations between Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Doug Honnold told the Idaho Statesman newspaper: "It's the endangered species that need to be protected, not the states' rights to kill wolves."

Damn glad to hear it!

is all I have to say about that!

Quiet, Smooth Start to Idaho Wolf Hunt



Idaho’s first wolf hunts began September 1 with few hunters afield and reports of three wolves taken.

Wolf hunters are required to report kills within 24 hours and show the skull and pelt to Idaho Fish and Game authorities within five days.

Deputy Director Jim Unsworth noted that the successful hunters followed the rules and that the system for reporting harvest worked smoothly. Idaho began selling wolf hunting tags for the first time August 24 but no glitches in the licensing system were reported despite a one-week volume of more than 11,200 tags sold.

Conservation officers in the field for the first day of the hunt reported no violations and a light turnout of hunters, according to Chief of Enforcement Jon Heggen.

From setting wolf seasons through the tag selling process to reporting of wolf harvest by hunters, “the system is working,” Unsworth said. “And hunters are excited to have the opportunity,” he added.

So far, two wolf harvest reports have come from the Lolo wolf hunting zone and one from the Sawtooth zone. These are the only zones of the 12 Idaho wolf zones to open September 1 and are the zones where the impact of wolves on elk herds are documented to be particularly severe. Two other zones open September 15 and the rest on October 1. A harvest limit of 220 wolves has been set for Idaho.

Hunters may encounter wolves with radio collars. They may shoot wolves with collars but are required to return the collars when they check in their wolves with Fish and Game. Hunters are asked not to cut or otherwise damage the expensive collars which can be reused to monitor wolves for management purposes.

Hunters must report a kill within 24 hours by calling 1-877-872-3190. They can call the same number to find out whether a wolf zone is closed. Zones will be closed to hunting immediately when the harvest limit in each zone is met. Rules pamphlets are available at vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov where harvest numbers will be shown for each zone.

Outdoor Writer - I certainly appreciate your timely and informative updates on this thread. The fact that your reporting on these events is free of opinion or commentary is a refreshing change in a media atmosphere where even the weather is editorialized.

Thanks.