Wolf harvest is down nearly 25% in the Clearwater Region
»Play Video
LEWISTON, ID - Wolf season is drawing to a close in most zones in Idaho and according to Idaho Fish and Game, wolf harvest numbers have declined.
Last year in Clearwater County, 134 wolves were hunted or trapped, this year the number fell to 88. The decline is consistent throughout the state of Idaho, and some believe it has to do with the wolves ability to adapt and become more familiar with trapping, which is a form of hunting that started in Idaho just last year.
"You would expect them to be more vulnerable in the first year," said ID. Dept. of Fish & Game Biologist Dave Koehler. "They're a very intelligent animal and tend to learn pretty quickly so they're not as easy to shoot or catch the second or third year."
Idaho Fish and Game is encouraging wolf hunters to tackle back-country zones where the elk population is increasingly low. The Lolo and Selway zones are two areas within the region that are believed to have a heavy wolf presence, and because of that, these regions have an extended hunting season. Wolf hunters are discouraged from shooting any wolves with radio collars. Of course this topic has its opponents who take issue with the killing of wolves at all. In the meantime, Fish and Game officials are advocating for more control over the population in the region.
Last year in Clearwater County, 134 wolves were hunted or trapped, this year the number fell to 88. The decline is consistent throughout the state of Idaho, and some believe it has to do with the wolves ability to adapt and become more familiar with trapping, which is a form of hunting that started in Idaho just last year.
"You would expect them to be more vulnerable in the first year," said ID. Dept. of Fish & Game Biologist Dave Koehler. "They're a very intelligent animal and tend to learn pretty quickly so they're not as easy to shoot or catch the second or third year."
Idaho Fish and Game is encouraging wolf hunters to tackle back-country zones where the elk population is increasingly low. The Lolo and Selway zones are two areas within the region that are believed to have a heavy wolf presence, and because of that, these regions have an extended hunting season. Wolf hunters are discouraged from shooting any wolves with radio collars. Of course this topic has its opponents who take issue with the killing of wolves at all. In the meantime, Fish and Game officials are advocating for more control over the population in the region.
