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Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com
Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com

ID: Keeping the Wolves at Bay – It’s a Wrap on Season Four

HAILEY, Idaho – Forty thousand sheep over four years, and less than 20 lost to wolves.

The Wood River Wolf Project has just wrapped up another season of testing nonlethal wolf deterrents to keep wolves away from sheep grazing on public lands. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Blaine County, Defenders of Wildlife, sheep producers and the Salmon-Challis National Forest work together on the project.

Ketchum District ranger Kurt Nelson calls it a success – and not just in terms of reducing livestock losses.

“Environmental groups, sheep producers and agencies all working together. I think it’s built a higher level of acceptance of public-land grazing in the Wood River Valley.”

Blaine County Commissioner Larry Schoen wasn’t convinced at first that the project would work. He’s changed his tune, wants the project back next year, and would like it to be expanded beyond public lands.

“Is non-lethal control a valuable tool in areas where you have livestock grazing on private land? Are there alternatives to lethal control? I believe the answer is ‘yes.’ ”

The project uses portable fencing, guard dogs, range riders, tracking devices, noisemakers and spotlights.

Deb Courson Smith, Public News Service – ID

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