IDAHO FISH AND GAME
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID
Date: March 28, 2008
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700
fish and game takes over wolf management
Today, Friday, March 28, Idaho takes over management of gray wolves throughout the state.
Wolves north and south of Interstate 90 now will be managed as big game animals.
"We are excited as managers to assume their management," said Cal Groen, director of Idaho Fish and Game. "The Commission and I thank staff, the Office of Species Conservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the many others who helped in this recovery effort."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's final rule removing wolves from the endangered species list takes effect today. The rule includes wolves of the Northern Rocky Mountains in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted the wolf management plan on March 6. State management plans, laws and protocols will govern wolf management in Idaho.
Wolf hunting seasons and bag limits will be based on the Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan and developed over the next two months, then adopted by the Fish and Game Commission on May 22. The first wolf hunting season in Idaho will be planned for fall 2008.
In addition, the Legislature has update state law to allow people to kill wolves harassing or attacking their livestock and pets. The law does not require a permit from the Fish and Game director under these conditions, but the incident must be reported to the director within 72 hours.
The wolf management plans and other related documents are available at the Fish and Game Website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.
In Idaho, wolf packs range from the Canadian border south to Interstate 84, and from the Oregon border east to the Montana and Wyoming borders. Dispersing wolves occasionally have been reported in previously unoccupied areas.
During 2007, biologists documented 83 resident wolf packs in Idaho. A minimum population was estimated at 732 wolves. In addition, 13 documented border packs counted for Montana and Wyoming had established territories straddling the Idaho state boundary and probably spent some time in Idaho.
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID
Date: March 28, 2008
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700
fish and game takes over wolf management
Today, Friday, March 28, Idaho takes over management of gray wolves throughout the state.
Wolves north and south of Interstate 90 now will be managed as big game animals.
"We are excited as managers to assume their management," said Cal Groen, director of Idaho Fish and Game. "The Commission and I thank staff, the Office of Species Conservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the many others who helped in this recovery effort."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's final rule removing wolves from the endangered species list takes effect today. The rule includes wolves of the Northern Rocky Mountains in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted the wolf management plan on March 6. State management plans, laws and protocols will govern wolf management in Idaho.
Wolf hunting seasons and bag limits will be based on the Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan and developed over the next two months, then adopted by the Fish and Game Commission on May 22. The first wolf hunting season in Idaho will be planned for fall 2008.
In addition, the Legislature has update state law to allow people to kill wolves harassing or attacking their livestock and pets. The law does not require a permit from the Fish and Game director under these conditions, but the incident must be reported to the director within 72 hours.
The wolf management plans and other related documents are available at the Fish and Game Website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.
In Idaho, wolf packs range from the Canadian border south to Interstate 84, and from the Oregon border east to the Montana and Wyoming borders. Dispersing wolves occasionally have been reported in previously unoccupied areas.
During 2007, biologists documented 83 resident wolf packs in Idaho. A minimum population was estimated at 732 wolves. In addition, 13 documented border packs counted for Montana and Wyoming had established territories straddling the Idaho state boundary and probably spent some time in Idaho.