Idaho Wolf Population Continues To Hold Steady

The wolf population across Idaho held steady over the past year. The state Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday the estimated population held steady at 1,500. The estimate represents an August count, that depended on trail cameras scattered in wolf habitat statewide. According to IDFG, the state’s wolf population has fluctuated over the past three year, from a high approaching roughly 1,800 in May when wolf pups are born and down to a low of about 900 in April as wolves die through natural mortality, hunting or trapping.

Officials said the population has been at about 1,500 in each of the last three years in August.

Idaho lawmakers last year approved a law, backed by ranchers, greatly expanding wolf killing in what some lawmakers stated could reduce the wolf population by 90%. Backers said it would reduce the wolf population and attacks on livestock while also boosting deer and elk herds. That law took effect on July 1^st. Wildlife officials said Thursday that the August population estimate probably did not reflect any possible wolf killings that happened in the previous month when the new law was in effect.

“Very little, if any, manifested change as a result of a law that came into effect a month before this estimate would ever be recognized in this estimate,” said Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever.

Shane Roberts, a wildlife research manager at Fish and Game, said that about the same number of wolves were killed by hunters and trappers during the last six months of 2021 as in 2020. That indicated there was not a sharp increase in wolves being killed following the new law taking effect.

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