Breaking News

Fish and Game increases wolf-hunting quota by 100

May 22, 2008, 12:21 pm

By ERIC BARKER
of the Tribune

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission set a wolf-hunting quota of 428 wolves today, 100 higher than the quota proposed by Idaho Fish and Game biologists.
That means Idaho hunters could kill more than 400 wolves and reduce the statewide wolf population to about 500 by the end of the year.
Wolf hunting season will start on Sept. 15 in backcountry units and Oct. 1 in other units. It would end on Dec. 30, but the season could be extended by the commission. The statewide quota is 428 wolves but wolf hunting will be conducted by zones with each zone having a smaller quota. Once the quota is met in a particular zone, or statewide, hunting would be closed.
The quota also includes all mortality, both natural and man-caused. So wolves killed by hunters would be included in the quota as would wolves killed by natural causes, poaching, those hit by cars and those killed for attacking livestock or pets.
Commission Chairman Cameron Wheeler of Ririe said the quota was increased beyond the department’s recommendation because wolf numbers are robust and commissioners feel they have an obligation to respond to hunters worried about deer and elk herds that are declining in some areas like the upper Clearwater Basin.
“We have a responsibility to speak for the hunters in our state and live up to our obligation to provide hunting opportunities,” Wheeler said.
Even if the quota is met, he said the state would have five times the number of wolves required by the federal government for delisting.
Wolves were removed from Endangered Species Act protection earlier this year. A coalition of environmental and animal rights groups is suing the federal government to reverse that move.
In the run up to the court case that starts next week, many of the groups said they believe wolf populations are too small for the species to survive without ESA protections and states like Idaho and Wyoming will move to aggressively reduce wolf populations further. The groups are expected to ask for an injunction that would stop planned hunting seasons.
Wheeler said he does not think increasing the quota by 100 wolves will have an effect on the case.
“We think we are well within the law and well within our right to defend the opportunity to hunt,” he said. “I’m not concerned about the impact it has on the judge at all.”
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Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273.

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