Wolf culling to be
allowed by outfitters
By Alannah Allbrett
Following the first ever
regulated wolf hunt in
A controversy arises between
advocates of the wolf reinstatement program and outfitters, ranchers, and
property owners who wish the wolf would simply go away. Add to that, the fact
that the elk population is in steady decline. In the 1980’s the elk population
was estimated to be more than 16,000 elk in the Lolo Zone alone. The elk herds
had already gone into steady decline before the wolf reintroduction that took
place in the 1990’s.
Wolf advocates say that the
decline of the elk population is due to declining habitat, not the increase of
the wolf population. The IDFG website reports that their research biologists
captured and radio-marked elk, moose, and wolves in January through March as
part of Fish and Game’s on-going elk-wolf interaction study in the North Fork
Clearwater and Lowman study areas. There are estimated to be 2,100 elk today in
the Lolo Zone compared to approximately 5,100 in 2006.
IDFG, in an effort to control
the existing wolf population, has authorized licensed outfitters and guides to
help cull the packs. Four outfitters, and their licensed guides, have been
authorized to kill five wolves each. This would occur in the Lolo Hunting Zone.
Jeff Gould, chief of the
agency’s wildlife bureau said, “We do believe we can help reduce the predation
to get to that stabilization point with the long-term goal of recovery which
will benefit wolves in the long term.”
Tim Craig of Boulder Creek
Outfitters said, “We have to do something. We have to do something as fast as
possible. It’s bad” [referring to the increase in wolf population]. The B Bar C
Outfitters of St. Maries, run by Inga and Joe Cabral, said using outfitters to
cull wolf population is the right decision. “We are glad to be able to be of
service and be involved in this historic plan. I think it shows they are willing
to do something,” said Inga. Cayuse Outfitters and Flying B ranch, out of
Kamiah, will also be participating in the program.
Suzanne Stone, of the
Defenders of Wildlife in
For weekly