Larry Wilson
Long time North Forkers will remember the days when Diane Boyd and Mike Fairchild led the early wolf research on the North Fork. As I recall, they named that first wolf they captured, Kishanena. Probably they would be rich today if they had been paid by the mile for following wolf tracks on snowshoes, recording their observations. They documented locations and routes of wolves, where they made kills etc. and, of course, documented everything while living in the old Frank Clute homestead at Moose City.
Unfortunately, Mike died suddenly and way too young, leaving Diane to finish the project. I don’t remember how many years Diane worked on the North Fork, but it was a contentious time. Controversy surrounded the Wolf Recovery Project. Hunters were opposed to wolves, environmentalists were in favor. There was a big argument over whether the wolves were here naturally, dispersing from known populations in British Columbia, or had been planted by persons unknown—maybe even Fish and Game.
Folks never really understood that Diane and the entire Wolf Recovery Project were here to record the facts and report them so that management plans could be made.
At any rate, wolves are now a part of the North Fork with several packs roaming the area, and we still have deer, elk and moose and the debate continues over what effect wolves are having on ungulate populations. Diane Boyd, newly minted Ph.D in hand, left the North Fork and has held a variety of wildlife-related jobs. Until 2015 when she returned to her neat little cabin on the North Fork. It is a homestead cabin that was turned into a garage and then saved by Diane and given new life on her property as a cozy home.
The snug little cabin served as home and studio as Diane again became a part of the community and refreshed her painting skills. Until this last winter when Furs Fins and Feathers advertised for two jobs—one in Kalispell and one in Missoula, to monitor wolves.
It was no surprise to me that Diane applied for, and secured the Kalispell job.
Her new territory will cover the entirety of Northwestern Montana, including the North Fork. Full circle, indeed. Welcome back to the wolves, Diane.
Beautiful, sunny weather has the river rising and running less than clear. County grader has the North Fork Road in the best shape ever, wildlife wintered well, Tamarack are leafing out and the gophers are whistling. Life is good.