Idaho hunters have killed 13 wolves since hunting the once endangered species became legal four weeks ago. That is a rate of  just less than one wolf every two days.

The Sawtooth Zone has seen the most wolves taken. Hunters have killed five wolves there. The quota for the zone is 55.

Four wolves have been killed in the Middle Fork Zone that has a quota of 17. Two have been taken from  the Lolo Zone, and one each in the Selway and McCall-Weizer zones. The statewide quota is 220 which means 207 wolves could be killed before the season is closed. Wolf hunting ends Dec. 31 in most of the state’s zones but the Sawtooth and Lolo zones remain open through March 31.

As of today (Sept. 28) there are only four zones open to hunting. But all of the state’s zones will be open starting Thursday. There should be far more hunters in the field starting Oct. 10 when general rifle seasons for deer and elk open in much of the state. It’s likely with more hunters afield the wolf take will rise in a few weeks.

Click here to track the wolf hunting season.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials report chukar numbers could be up this year after at least two years of poor perfromance.

The department did not conduct helicopter surveys of chukars along the Salmon River and Snake River in Hells Canyon. But officials say observations of chukars appears to show greater numbers this year.

The department did conduct helicopter surveys near Brownlee Reservoir. They counted 900 chukars in teh 12 square mile survey area for an average of 73.7 birds per square mile . That is below the 10-year average of 1,300 birds and 108 per square mile but up front last year’s count of 37.8 birds per square mile.

Fish and Game biologist Jake Powell said chukar numbers should be back near the 10-year average next yearif the region sees good spring weather. But that is a big if. A period of cold wet weather in the late spring can kill chicks and hammer bird numbers.

Chukar season opens Sept. 19. in Idaho and Oct. 3 in Washington. Washington does not conduct chukar surveys.

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