Wolf News Roundup 8/30/17
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
August 30, 2017
The Wyoming Game & Fish Department reports that as of August 30, there have been 65 confirmed wolf deaths in Wyoming so far in 2017, with 36 of the animals killed in response to livestock depredations; 17 wolves legally taken in Wyoming’s predator zone; and 12 others that died of natural or unknown causes.
At the present time, wolf hunting is NOT allowed in the Trophy Game Management Area (TGMA). The TGMA is where the vast majority of wolves in Wyoming live, and the hunting season opens October 1 in most wolf hunt areas.
Wolves outside the TGMA are considered predatory animals as defined in state law and therefore can be harvested. Any wolf harvested in the predator zone must be reported to the Game and Fish within 10 days of harvest, this can be done by phone. WG&F would like to obtain a genetic sample from each harvested wolf. WG&F does not manage wolves outside the Trophy Game Management Area.
Washington
State officials have authorized the lethal control of one or two members of a second wolf pack in northeastern Washington after repeated cattle depredations. The Sherman pack was confirmed to have been involved in four livestock depredations this summer, despite preventative efforts by the livestock owner, according to local media.
Earlier this summer, Washington wildlife officials killed two wolves from the Smackout Pack after that pack’s repeated depredations on livestock.
Oregon
Washington’s neighboring state faces a similar situation, with two wolf packs repeatedly preying on livestock. Oregon wildlife officials killed four members of the Harl Butte wolf pack after repeated depredations, leaving nine members of the pack on the range. Despite non-lethal preventative measures, the Meacham wolf pack attacked cattle and sheep on private property, leading to lethal control of two members of the seven-member wolf pack.
Idaho
Idaho Fish & Game Commissioners rejected a plan that would have allowed wolf hunters to bait wolves. Although hunters are not allowed to set out bait for wolves, black bear hunters with a wolf tag are permitted to take wolf coming into bait set out for black bears.
For more information on these stories, see the links below.
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