Facts and myths on region's wolves

Myth: Wolves decimating elk herds. Fact: IDFG data. Idaho’s Elk numbers up or steady, all but two of 29 zones.

Overall elk numbers increased in wolf states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming). Wolves pushed elk off valley floors into mountains; harder to find.

Myth: Wolves decimating livestock. Fact: USDA/IDFG. Wolves responsible less than 2 percent livestock predation deaths.

Ranchers privately compensated for verified wolf losses, by state for unverified/missing losses.

Myth: Wolves dangerous, attack people. Fact: Only one North America human death attributed to wolves in last 110 years.

Vast  majority wolf-human encounters simple curiosity of wolf.  IDFG Release 2006: Person in wolf country has greater chance being hit by lightning, dying  of bee sting,  killed in vehicle collision with deer, than injured by wolf.

Myth: Wolves kills have no purpose. Fact: Journal Wildlife Management.

Wolves prey on most vulnerable elk, deer; old, weak, diseased, injured, very young (however , elk calf survival remains steady). Contribute genetically to stronger elk, deer herds.

More facts:

IDFG — Assumes steady annual wolf increase 20-22 percent. Erroneous.

USFW — Actual increase 2007, 8.8 percent; 2008, 15.6 percent.

IDFG — Panhandle wolf estimate 2008-41. Never case wolf livestock predation. Hunting quota 2009 — 30 (70 percent)

Minnesota, 3000 wolves; Wisconsin, 650 wolves. Study wolves 5 years following endangered delisting before hunting decision. Sensible approach!

Idaho —  53,484,800 acres. If half 26,742,400 wolf suitable habitat, state wolf goal, 500 — one wolf every 53,485 acres.

Idaho — Divide areas 100 square miles each, evenly distribute people, elk, wolves. Result per 100 square miles — 1,800 people, 140 elk, 1 wolf.

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla