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

Idaho Wolf Hunting and Trapping on Course to Take 400 by the End of March

by KEN COLE

Since the beginning of the Idaho wolf hunting and trapping season I have been keeping a spreadsheet with a running tally of wolf kills. Presently the total stands at 332 dead wolves with 237 taken in the hunt and 95 taken by trapping and snaring. There are three zones that have been closed so far because the quota has been killed. If you include the two so called “non-target” mortalities from trapping, in areas where wolves are not allowed to be killed by trapping, and the 14 taken by USDA Wildlife Services sharpshooters in the Lolo Zone that total rises to 348.  I haven’t included those wolves killed by other causes because the IDFG hasn’t published those numbers since November.

If trends continue it is likely that the total number of wolves taken in the hunt could reach approximately 400 by the end of March when hunting and trapping ends in most areas. There are two zones, the Lolo and the Selway, where wolves will be legal to hunt until June 30.

It remains to be seen how this will affect the overall population because hunting that occurs after mating season, which is about over, could have a greater impact on reproduction if females which have mated are killed.

The 2011 year end estimates for the Idaho wolf population are about to be published but there have been approximately 130 killed since the beginning of 2012.  If the hunting success continues on its current trend then an additional 50 wolves might be taken, making the total taken since the beginning of 2012 stand at about 180.

Idaho Fish and Game – Wolf Harvest Limits – Map and Information.

Idaho Wolf Killing 2011-2012 (click for larger view)

Idaho Wolf Killing (trapping) 2011-2012 (click for larger view)

Idaho Wolf Killing (hunt) 2011-2012 (click for larger view)

 

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