WEIGH IN ON THE WILDERNESS WOLF PACK ISSUE
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will vote Jan. 16 on the state elk management plan that includes the Middle Fork of the Salmon River zone and calls for hiring a hunter-trapper to eliminate two of six packs of wolves.
A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Washington Group Plaza at 720 Park Blvd.
Idaho Wolves and Elk
Æ 1995-96: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduced 35 wolves into Idaho, augmenting several lone wolves living in the state.
Æ 2002: Idaho had 300 wolves and the number was growing; the Legislature approved a state management plan.
Æ 2011: Congress removed wolves in Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and northern Utah from the threatened species list.
Æ 2012: Idaho Fish and Game sold 80,577 elk tags, and hunters killed 16,418 elk — a 20 percent success rate. In 1996, 100,527 hunters had a 25 percent success rate.
Wolf-killing plan complicates balancing act | Environment | Idahostatesman.com.