September 5, 2009: Growth Rate of Wolf Population is Slowing

Rocky Barker’s article, “Will Idaho’s Hunt Hurt Wolf Numbers?” (August 24) was thought-provoking. It also contained some misinformation. Given the
emotions surrounding the wolf hunt, it is important to sift out the facts from the fiction.

Barker says that Idaho’s wolves are increasing by 20% a year. I have seen figures like this in several newspapers, and cited by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game itself. However, if you look at the web sites of both F&G and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, you will see that Idaho’s wolf population increased by 8.8% in 15.6% in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Wolves in the Northern Rockies grew by 16.4% in 2007, and by 8.7% in 2008.

These numbers indicate that the wolves’ growth rates are slowing, even without a hunting season. If, in addition to the 255 wolves targeted in the hunt, you add in wolves likely to be killed by ranchers and Fish and Game (186 in 2007), accidents, illegal killings and natural causes, perhaps in excess of 500 out of 846 Idaho wolves will die this year. This is not management. It may undo years of work and millions of dollars already spent on wolf recovery. -Ken Fischman, Ph.D., Letter to the Editor, Copyright © 2009 The Idaho Statesman

Read the full article HERE