Following the standard 32-day comment period, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has unanimously passed a new wolf management plan following last week’s meeting. As with any decision regarding wolves, the comment period was not void of opposition.
Of the nearly 3,500 comments received on the proposed plan, many of those comments were positioned against the idea of hunting wolves, despite healthy populations and growing risk to other species such as deer and elk.
Rather than an all-or-nothing proposal, the one set forth by the Commission is commonsensical and follows delisting guidelines to the letter. In 2009, wolves were removed from federal protection in the northern Rocky Mountains and turned over to the state for management. As part of that management plan, the rule states that wolf populations in Idaho should be managed for an average of around 500 wolves.
It was noted in the rule that not adhering to the suggestions would result in depredation of other wildlife species as well as livestock.
Today, the wolf population in Idaho is estimated at just below 1,400 and while Commission Chair Don Ebert is looking forward to the plan coming to fruition, he has made it abundantly clear that he is not out to eradicate wolves.
“We’re not going to eradicate wolves. It is not our intention, and I do not believe we would have that ability even if it was our intention,” Ebert said. “We preserve, protect and perpetuate species as a whole, and all species in tandem, so the question in my mind becomes about balance, and I believe things are out of balance with the wolf population.”
Idaho’s elk populations remain at relatively healthy levels, however state wildlife officials have said that herds are not evenly distributed. They noted that eight of the 28 elk management zones are currently below objectives and believe predation to be the main cause of the declines. With hopes of providing balance to the ecosystem, Ebert and the state Fish and Game Commission believe in their ability to safely and effectively manage wolf populations and look forward to the day when they can back off management efforts.
“I think we need to have the ability to control wolf populations, and I honestly look forward to the day when I can sit here and say ‘I think we need to back off on our wolf harvest,’ but I don’t think we are there yet,” Ebert noted.
