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2007/2006 Story Archive
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2009 Story Archive
2008 Story Archive

12/29/07: WYG&F proposes wolf regulations
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be accepting public comment on and hosting public information gathering meetings to discuss changes to Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations Chapter 21, Gray Wolves Designated as Trophy Game Animals and Chapter 28, Regulation Governing Big or Trophy Game Animal or Game Bird Damage Claims....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/21/07: Joggers terrorized by Alaska wolf pack
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A pack of wolves recently terrorized a group of three women joggers and their dogs the Eagle River area in Alaska. The group was more than a mile from their vehicle and were absolutely terrified by the encounter, with the wolves circling and coming closer, chasing the group down the trail and attacking one of the dogs. One of the women repeatedly used pepper spray on the seven-member wolf pack. The Anchorage Daily News has an article, along with a link to a video interview shot by KTVA about the wolf encounter which is well worth watching.....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/21/07: Wolf spotted in Colorado
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Estes Park Trail-Gazette is reporting that a recent sighting of a lone black wolf in Rocky Mountain National Park has been deemed "credible." This is simply the latest sighting of several made in recent times. .....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/21/07: Congressionsl members oppose wolf delisting
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Five members of the United States House of Representatives banded together to write a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne opposing wolf delisting in the Northern Rockies. The letter was signed by Representatives Nick Joe Rahall, II, George Miller, Norm Dicks, Wayne T. Gilchrest and Jim Saxton. .....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/19/07: Alaska wolf campaign moves forward
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) According to Alaskans for Professional Wildlife Management, Alaska’s predator populations, including wolves, continue to expand while moose and caribou herds are being decimated. Alaska is trying to get these predator populations under control, but animal rights extremists have placed a measure on the ballot that would ban aerial predator management. The Alaskans for Professional Wildlife Management (APWM) are preparing to wage an aggressive and winning campaign to defeat this dangerous and well-funded ballot measure.....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/18/07: Lawsuit filed to keep Great Lakes wolves listed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) On December 4, a U.S. district court granted the Center for Biological Diversity “friend of the court” status in a case seeking to retain protection for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit challenges the Bush administration’s most recent attempt to weaken and remove protection for the wolf. “The gray wolf is gone from 95 percent of its range in the lower 48 states,” said Amy Atwood, staff attorney with the Center. “Although wolf numbers have increased in a few states, it is too soon to abandon their recovery in the many states that have habitat where wolves could thrive once again.”....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/14/07: Feds approve Wyoming Wolf Plan
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) It came as no surprise since federal officials helped to write the plan, but state officials announced Friday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved Wyoming’s Gray Wolf Management Plan, calling it an “adequate regulatory mechanism” that meets the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Under Wyoming’s approved plan, after delisting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will assume management of wolves in that portion of the state where wolves will be classified as trophy game animals. In the remaining portions of the state, gray wolves will be classified as predatory animals. ....(Click on the link above for the complete article)

12/11/07: Hoback wolf pack confirmed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed there is a new wolf pack south of Jackson, between Jackson and the Hoback Junction. A radio-collared female wolf dispersed from the Buffalo Pack near Jackson and settled south of town. The new pack will be referred to as the Pinnacle Peak Pack. FWS's Ed Bangs reported: "At this time we think the pack contains 5-6 wolves, but subsequent monitoring will give a better estimate of how many wolves are in the pack and what area the pack uses." The pack was discovered through collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and local land owners who reported repeated wolf sightings in the area.

12/7/07: Bold wolves harrass Alaska village
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Bold wolves have begun altering human behavior in an Alaska village. Last week the after-school skiing program was cancelled because of safety concerns due to the wolf presence in the area.
Additional adult supervision is now in place for recess on the playground, and the note sent home to parents advises parents to escort children to their school bus stops and to stay with them until they are safely on the bus. Wolves have come into yards and killed dogs, and show no fear of humans. Now state wildlife officials have organized a community meeting to discuss the situation with residents of Two Rivers..... (click on the link above for the complete article)

12/5/07: Escaped captive wolf killed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The 180-pound escaped captive wolf roaming around southwestern Idaho killing livestock has been killed by state game officials. According to an Associated Press article, although Idaho Fish and Game officials had hoped to tranquilize the wolf and capture it, it was shot after being found with an injured leg.... (click on the link above for the complete article)

12/2/07: Sheriff told to hold fire on domestic wolf
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Associated Press reports that an Idaho sheriff has been told to "hold fire" on an escaped captive wolf, for fear that a wild wolf could be mistakenly killed. The AP article by John Miller quotes Owyhee County Sheriff Gary Aman's frustration about the situation, since the escaped wolf has been killing livestock and is what he called "a very, very aggressive, vicicous animal... (click on the link above for the complete article)

12/2/07: Another word on wolf compensation
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The story of the attack on Stevie's mule was detailed here a few days ago. Although USDA Wildlife Services personnel confirmed that the damage to the mule was caused by a wolf or wolves, a full year after the event, Defenders of Wildlife sent Stevie a letter denying his claim. Defenders was never on the scene, never saw the mule, yet it claims its own experts determined that the damages were consistent with what could have been caused by a barbed-wire fence. This, even though Wildlife Services experts had already examined the ACTUAL ANIMAL and found it had been attacked by a wolf or wolves. So what's up with this?.... (click on the link above for the complete article)

11/26/07: Defenders denies compensation for wolf attack
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) In August 2006, a mule was attacked by a wolf or wolves while in a pasture northwest of Pinedale. Bonny, who is owned by Wolf Lake Outfitters, suffered numerous wounds, including having the base of her ears chewed up, gashes to her hocks and life-threatening wounds to her stomach. A full year aftersubmitting a claim to Defenders of Wildlife seeking compensation for the wolf attack, the environmental group has decided to deny the claim, saying they believe the mule’s injuries weren’t sustained during a wolf attack, but were consistent with a barbed-wire fence.... (click on the link above for the complete article)

11/20/07: Idaho releases draft wolf plan
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has developed a draft wolf population management plan that includes provisions for hunting wolves - in anticipation of wolves in Idaho being removed from the endangered species list. Fish and Game is seeking public review and comments on the draft Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan, which would guide post-delisting wolf monitoring, management. ... (click on the link above for the complete article)

11/19/07: Canada wolf in Idaho, Idaho wolf in Wyoming
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that a wolf collared in Alberta, Canada, is now located in Idaho. The collar records the wolf's movements, but was scheduled for release at the end of October. It stayed on the wolf in Idaho for at least another week, but all indications are that the collar has now dropped off the wolf and is on the ground in Idaho, awaiting retrieval. FWS also confirmed that another Idaho wolf has taken up residence in Yellowstone National Park, proving connectivity between the wolf populations. ... (click on the link above for the complete article)

11/19/07: Wolves at Hoback Junction
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, last week wolf project leader Mike Jimenez met with a ranch/outfitting family whose private land is near a state elk feedground that has been seeing 3-4 wolves repeatedly near Hoback Junction. "The wolves seem a little bold and interested in their dogs, so rubber bullet training and munitions were provided," FWS reported..... (click on the link above for the complete article)

11/19/07: Eastern coyotes linked to wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) New research on tissue samples taken from 75 Massachusetts coyotes has found that all contained varying degrees of the genes of a wolf species found in southeastern Canada and the genes of the western coyote, according to a press account written by Stan Freeman. One of the primary researchers now suggests that the Massachusetts coyote be classified as a new species.... (click on the link above for the complete article)

11/18/07: WYG&F approves wolf plan
(By Wyoming Game & Fish) The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission adopted a new wolf management plan for Wyoming. Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Terry Cleveland said he hopes this plan will be accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and lead to the removal of wolves from the Endangered Species Act in the northern Rocky Mountains in 2008.... (click on the link above for this story)

11/13/07: Wolf recovery program focuses on hybrids
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Great Lakes wolf population has been delisted but now scientists are revealing that the “saved” wolf population isn’t what was there to begin with, since what was saved were hybrids.... (click on the link above for this story)

11/12/07: "Wolves in Russia" book released
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) "Wolves in Russia: Anxiety Through the Ages" is written by Will Graves and edited by Dr. Valerius Geist, Ph.D. Here's what Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, had to say: "Wolves in Russia unmasks the Disneyesque view of wolves propagandized in the U.S. Wolves is a stunning, fact-laden account of pandemic and devastating loss of livestock, game animals and human beings from wolf predation. Any open-minded person who reads this book will grasp that wolves are a severe threat to our way of life in Montana, and to the people who live here. It is impossible to deny the centuries of recorded wolf predation impact documented in Wolves in Russia. A Russian proverb from the book: "Wolves are not killed because they are gray, but because they eat sheep.".... (click on the link above for this story)

11/12/07: More aggressive wolf control initiated
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Mike Jimenez of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that if things seemed different in 2007, it’s because they were: FWS was more aggressive at controlling problem wolves this year, and the results are in the numbers. Throughout the years, there have been wolf packs that prey on livestock year after year. This year, in those packs, FWS instructed USDA Wildlife Services to get on those packs after the first attacks and take them out. In 2006, 45 wolves were killed in control actions. So far this year, 55-60 wolves have been killed in control actions.... (click on the link above for this story)

11/1/07: Coroner inquest determines man killed by wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A coroner's inquest in Saskatchewan has determined that 22-year old Kenton Carnegie of Ontario was indeed killed in a wolf attack.... (click on the link above for this story)

11/1/07: Rabid wolf attacked sled dogs
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Anchorage Daily News reports today that a wolf killed during an attack on sled dogs in an Alaska village was rabid. Animal health officials are requesting that any unvaccinated dogs in the village be euthanized.... (click on the link above for this story)

10/30/07: Wyoming Wolf Plan comments available
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has posted all the public comments it has received on the latest version of the state wolf management plan. To read the comments, click on the link to the story.... (click on the link above for this story)

10/30/07: Draft Gray Wolf Plan Available
(By Wyoming Game & Fish) The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be posting all public comments regarding its draft gray wolf management plan on the department’s Web site on Monday, Oct. 29. The public comment period on the wolf plan expired Oct. 10. The department received 352 individual comments by mail, fax or through the department’s new online public commenting system... (click on the link above for this story)

10/28/07: Wolves attack sled dogs in Alaska village
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A pack of wolves entered a small village in Alaska, attacking area sled dogs, leaving about six dead and mauling nearly a dozen more. In related news, a new source in Finland is reporting that wolves have killed an exceptional number of dogs in one community this fall. There are about 250 wolves in Finland, and government officials have been taking extraordinary measures this year to save reindeer herds from maurading wolf packs, which have hit the herds hard this winter. Herdsmen have brought the reindeer herds into protective pens to begin expensive feeding operations, months ahead of schedule, in order to save the animals..... (click on the link above for these stories)

10/22/07: Denver TV station examines wolf ad campaign
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) CBS4 Denver reporter Raj Chohan recently aired a piece examining the new wolf ad campaign undertaken by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report shows clips from the ad, then explains what parts are true, and what parts are misleading.... (click on the link above for this story)

10/22/07: Wolf killed in Massachusetts
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) It had been killing sheep on Massachusetts farms for at least a month, but wildlife officials claimed it was probably a dog. A farmer shot the sheep-killer last week, and yes, it was a wolf - an 85 pound male.The nearest known wild wolf population to the recent incident is about 350 miles away in Canada. The complete story is on South Coast Today... (click on the link above for this story)

10/18/07: 50 Years of Wolf Research
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Scientists have been studying the interactions and interdependence of wolves and moose at Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park for nearly half a century. In the late 1940s, a pack of wolves made the treacherous trip across 15 to 20 miles of frozen waters of Lake Superior to Isle Royale, located not far from the Canadian border. There they found a wilderness island safe from hunters and traffic and home to an abundant moose herd. The wolves settled in to a self-contained ecosystem where they were virtually the only predators and the moose were their primary prey... (click on the link above for this story)

10/11/07: Wolf killed in Vermont
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) With several wolves shot in the state in recent years, locals in Vermont are wondering if wolves have returned to their state. Wildlife officials often discount wolf sightings in the area, and claim that when wolves are shot, proving wolf presence, those animals are released captives. Genetic tests on the latest confirmed wolf, a 92-pound male, pose additional questions. Read the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department press release dated October 9, 2007... (click on the link above for this story)

10/10/07: A shot-at wolf is an elusive wolf
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Sublette County Farm Bureau submitted comments on the latest version of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department plan to manage wolves once they are removed from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protection. The local livestock organization's letter shoots holes in the state plan, suggesting that producers are better off with federal wildlife managers having the responsibilty to control problem wolves, and using federal dollars to pay for the wolf control program.... (click on the link above for this story and to read the letter)

10/10/07: Defenders aim to end aerial gunning
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Framed as a proposal to end aerial gunning of wolves in Alaska, proposed legislation introduced in Congress would actually end aerial gunning of almost all wildlife throughout the nation. This is an important bill, as aerial control of chronic problem wolves is often the only method to stop depredation problems.The bill, called “Protect America’s Wildlife Act” (PAW), it’s heavily backed by Defenders of Wildlife... (click on the link above for this story)

10/6/07: Montana ranch hand kills wolf
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Two stories about a Montana ranch hand killing a wolf near the cattle.... (click on the link above for this story)

10/4/07: Defenders slams Wyoming wolf plan
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) "Defenders of Wildlife has long argued that delisting the wolf would be an irresponsible decision because of Wyoming’s bad management plan. Wyoming’s plan, which has been released for public comment today, is further evidence that the state is no where near committed to the sustainable management of wolves.".... (click on the link above for this story)

10/4/07: NRDC unleashes “Call off the guns” campaign
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) As part of the “save the wolf” campaign, the Natural Resources Defense Council's Action Fund is purchasing “Call off the guns” television ads. Gunshots ring out, and the video cuts to black, followed by onscreen text, “Censored for your protection. Then again, you’re not the one who needs protecting".... (click on the link above for this story)

10/4/07: NRDC takes on wolf issue
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental group, has taken on the Rocky Mountain wolf as an action issue. NRDC has established a website to generate letters of opposition to the federal rule change proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The rule change would allow wolf control to protect wildlife populations. NRDC has a goal to generate 200,000 e-mails to FWS... (click on the link above for this story)

9/25/07: Mid-year estimate tops 1,500 wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) “Overall, the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population in 2007 will be higher, wolf control about the same, and confirmed livestock depredations lower than that documented in 2006,” according to Ed Bangs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bangs released the agency’s mid-year wolf population estimate....All told, the tri-state wolf population is estimated at 1,545 wolves, in 179 packs, including 105 breeding pairs. The wolf population is responsible for confirmed kills of 111 cattle, 185 sheep, 10 dogs and one “other.”... (click on the link above for this story)

9/23/07: Enviros claim thousands of wolves needed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Earthjustice, representing the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, and the Humane Society of the Untied States, submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the proposal to delist the Northern Rockies wolf population, calling the proposal “ill-advised and illegal.” .. (click on the link above for this story)

9/11/07: Yellowstone wolves well fed
(By Ryan Smith, University of Calvary Express News) A biological scientist at the University of Alberta has analyzed 774 wolf-elk kill sites and concluded that spatial patterns of predation between wolves and elk are more strongly influenced by landscape features than by wolf distribution. The research results were published recently in the academic journal Ecology Letters... (click on the link above for this story)

9/11/07: Environmental assessment on wolf rules released
(By US Fish & Wildlife Service) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published an environmental assessment to analyze the potential effects of proposed revisions to the (10j) special regulations governing the management of gray wolves introduced in the Central Idaho and Yellowstone areas of the northern Rocky Mountains. Public comments is being requested on the EA at this time, and FWS is reopening the public comment period on the proposed 10(j) special regulations. All public comments for both the proposed 10(j) special rule and the EA must be received by the Service by October 11, 2007.... (click on the link above for this story)

9/11/07: Two Wolves Killed
(By Cat Urbigkit) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that on September 7, ongoing wolf control efforts were completed when USDA Wildlife Services specialists killed wolves in three western Wyoming wolf packs that had been preying on domestic livestock. Two wolves were killed in the Upper Green River pack, and in other control actions the same day, Wildlife Services specialists removed an adult male and a yearling female from the Gooseberry Pack; and a yearling female from the Carter Mountain Pack. So far this year, federal wildlife control specialists have killed eight wolves in the Sublette County area. .. (click on the link above for this story)

9/7/07: Wyoming's Revised Wolf Management Plan open for public comment
(By Wyoming Game & Fish) The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission authorized a 30-day public comment period on the state's draft revised gray wolf management plan. The revised plan will be posted on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Web site on Monday, Sept. 10. The comment period will end Oct. 10. The commission also authorized the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to conduct four public meetings the week of Sept. 17 in Pinedale, Lander, Casper and Cody. At each of the meetings, department personnel will discuss the draft revised plan and accept written comments. The meetings will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at the following locations: Pinedale: Sept. 17 -- Public Library Meeting Room; Lander: Sept. 18 -- Lander Community Center; Casper: Sept. 19 -- Casper WGFD Office, Pronghorn Room; Cody: Sept. 20 -- Holiday Inn.... (click on the link above for this story)

9/1/07: Elk Effects
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The effect of wolf predation on elk is undergoing increased scrutiny, and a new paper published in Science magazine takes an interesting look at elk reproductive physiology in response to wolves.Click on the link below to jump to the article in the February 16, 2007 issue of Science magazine, "Predation Risk Affect Reproductive Physiology and Demography of Elk" by Scott Creel, David Christianson, Stewart Liley, John A. Whinney Jr.... (click on the link above for this story)

9/1/07: Wyoming plan maximizes wolf killing
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field crew confirmed eight pups (plus 4-6 adults) in the Gros Ventre wolf pack. Trapping and collaring efforts for the Gros Ventre Pack have been halted until forest fires subside and access in to the area is possible... (click on the link above for this story)

9/1/07: FWS Promotes Intolerance of Wolves?
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) According to a coalition of environmental groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to change the federal rules regarding non-essential experimental wolves in the Northern Rockies will “significantly set back wolf recovery.” The groups claim that there is “no legitimate biological justification” for the current proposal, which would allow states to kill wolves when wildlife populations are adversely affected by wolf predation.The groups claim that rather than promoting recovery, FWS’s rule change promotes intolerance for wolves... (click on the link above for this story)

8/30/07: Gros Ventre pack produces 8 pups
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field crew confirmed eight pups (plus 4-6 adults) in the Gros Ventre wolf pack. Trapping and collaring efforts for the Gros Ventre Pack have been halted until forest fires subside and access in to the area is possible... (click on the link above for this story)

8/30/07: Wolf investigation sought
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Eight conservation groups led by Forest Guardians requested a federal investigation into allegations that a USDA Wildlife Services predator control agent pointed a rifle at a New Mexico Game and Fish Department biologist at the scene of the latest Mexican gray wolf killing in the state. In their formal request to the USDA Inspector General’s Office, the groups argue that such serious claims of federal misconduct cannot be left to local, anti-wolf authorities..... (click on the link above for this story)

8/27/07: Idaho group seeks wolf removal
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition has refiled its petition relating to wolf regulation in Idaho, seeking to remove wolves from the state by whatever means necessary. Throughout the state, petitions are being distributed to circulators who will be collecting signatures to get the initiative on the November 4, 2008 general election ballot. IAWC must get 45,893 signatures of registered voters by April 30, 2008. IAWC’s goal is 100,000 registered voters.... (click on the link above for this story)

8/21/07: Eighteen sheep dead
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!)Federal wildlife officials are investigating the death of 18 sheep on a Bridger-Teton National Forest grazing allotment. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on August 15, USDA Wildlife Services personnel rode into to remote sheep grazing allotment in the Wyoming Range near LaBarge, to investigate 18 dead sheep that were suspected wolf kills. FWS noted that a pair of wolves were in the area last year. One of the wolves was an older female wolf that got caught in a coyote trap last winter. The drag didn't hold and escaped with the trap. The wolf was later euthanized because of foot damage. The other wolf apparently remained in the area where the sheep depredations occurred. Wolf control efforts are pending results of the current investigation to the sheep deaths... (click on the link above for this story)

8/14/07: Groups ask FWS to reconsider wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Earthjustice, on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, the Humane Society of the U.S., and Help Our Wolves Live, has submitted two separate letters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One letter urges the agency to reconsider its proposal to remove wolves from protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. The other letter seeks to persuade the service to withdraw a separate proposal to allow the killing of up to 700 of the estimated 1,300 wolves that live in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming before delisting... (click on the link above for this story)

8/7/07: Wolf population maintains numbers
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that mid-summer wolf pack counts in Wyoming are similar to or slightly lower than in 2006... (click on the link above for this story)

8/7/07: Two wolves killed in Upper Green
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) On July 28, USDA Wildlife Services confirmed four calves had been killed by wolves in the Upper Green River area. On July 31, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed two more calves killed by wolves in the Green River Pack. On August 1, the two federal agencies removed two wolves and control is ongoing to remove the entire pack. Click on the story link above for other wolf depredations around the state, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...(click on the link above for this story)

8/5/07: Elk feedground permitting examined
(By U.S. Forest Service) The Bridger-Teton National Forest is proposing to authorize use and occupancy of national forest sytem land for the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to maintain facilities and use forest land in conjunction with its winter elk management programs. Two actions are planned... (click on link for more on this story)

8/5/07: Twelve Yellowstone wolf packs produce pups
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Monitoring flights have picked up pups in all 12 Yellowstone National Park wolf packs this year and so far pup survival looks good through July, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Yellowstone National Park researchers also report that the summer predation study is going well. Approximately 31 kills have been found from mid-May through mid-July. The kills consisted of 20 bull elk, five cow elk, five calf elk, and one mule deer. The results thus indicate that rather than killing a lot of calves, wolves are preying on a lot of bulls.... (click on the link above for this story)

8/5/07: Wyoming wolf predations confirmed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Dubois, Meeteetse, Cody calves and cows hit by predators... (click on the link above for this story)

8/5/07: Kayaker survives wolf attack
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Victoria Times Colonist newspaper in British Columbia reported that a kayaker had to fight off a wolf intent on having him as prey on the remote North Coast. A 31-year old kayaker was busy setting up his tent on the beach when the female wolf attacked. The kayaker fought the wolf, even dragging the fighting duo to his kayak where he retrieved a knife and repeatedly stabbed the animal. After the animal fled, the kayaker called for help on a radio. He was rescued by resort workers who also shot and killed the wolf... (click on the link above for this story)

8/1/07: Lock-out used for wolf plan protest
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is supporting a statewide private land-use-lock-out launched by its Wolf Task Force Committee who is inviting all property owners, livestock producers, hunters, and agriculture and natural resource organizations to sign up and join in with the Oregon Ranch Rescue project.... (click on link for more on this story)

7/25/07: Details of wolf compensation fund
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) In 1987, Defenders of Wildlife created a $100,000 fund to compensate ranchers in the U.S. Northern Rockies for verified livestock losses to wolves. The fund has evolved over the years, and in the fall of 2000, became the Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust. It’s important to note that not all ranchers are reimbursed for their verified losses and not all losses due to wolves can be verified. The Defenders program is very limited in this regard... (click on link for more on this story)

7/25/07: Details of wolf compensation fund
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) In 1987, Defenders of Wildlife created a $100,000 fund to compensate ranchers in the U.S. Northern Rockies for verified livestock losses to wolves. The fund has evolved over the years, and in the fall of 2000, became the Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust. It’s important to note that not all ranchers are reimbursed for their verified losses and not all losses due to wolves can be verified. The Defenders program is very limited in this regard... (click on link for more on this story)

7/23/07: Oregon wolf death under investigation
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the discovery of a dead gray wolf in Union County, Oregon. The animal had been shot, and was recovered on May 25, 2007, from a forested area north of Elgin. The carcass was badly decomposed when first discovered, making initial identification of the animal difficult. Testing confirmed it was a mature female wolf, genetically related to the wolf population in Idaho, and that it died from a gunshot wound. FWS law enforcement agents are requesting that anyone who may have information regarding the death of this or any other wolf contact them immediately at 503-682-6131. This is the fourth confirmed wolf to have been found in eastern Orgeon.... (click on link for more on this story)

7/23/07: LaBarge wolf kills calf
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that on Thursday, July 19, USDA Wildlife Services personnel confirmed that an apparently lone wolf killed a calf on private land near LaBarge. FWS has authorized Wildlife Services specialists to kill the wolf.... (click on link for more on this story)

7/14/07: FWS re-opens wolf comment period
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied Wyoming’s petition to amend the 1994 special rule to manage wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. FWS determined that the 1994 and 2005 10(j) special rules, the proposed revisions to the 2005 10(j) special rule published on July 6, 2007, and past and ongoing wolf control efforts already adequately address the concerns raised by the State of Wyoming in its petition dated July 1, 2005... (click on link for more on this story)

7/8/07: FWS re-opens wolf comment period
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) In response to a recently negotiated deal with Wyoming officials, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the public comment period on the proposal to designate a distinct population segment of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, and to remove this population from Endangered Species Act protections. The new proposal would include wolves in northwestern Wyoming, outside the national parks, in delisting. Comments on the updated proposal will be accepted until Aug. 6. In addition, a public hearing on the proposal will be held July 17 at the Cody Auditorium, 1240 Beck Avenue in Cody. FWS will first host an open house from 4:30-5:30, with the public hearing to be held 5:30-8:30 p.m...(click on link for more on this story)

7/8/07: FWS proposes wolf rule revisions
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting public comment on proposed revisions for the rule governing wolf management and control in the Northern Rockies. FWS proposes to define "unacceptable impact" as a state-determined impact to a wild ungulate population or herd, with wolves as one of the major causes of the population or herd not meeting established population or herd management goals. The determination must be peer- reviewed and reviewed and commented on by the public prior to a final determination by FWS that an unacceptable impact has occurred and that wolf removal is not likely to impede wolf recovery.’ ... (click on link for more on this story)

7/5/07: Park County makes wolf argument
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Attorneys for the Park County Commission filed the county’s opening brief in the pending federal lawsuit over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rejection of the Wyoming wolf management plan and petition to delist. While FWS is critical of the Wyoming plan regarding predator classification and unlicensed take outside the core habitat around Yellowstone Park, that criticism is unreasonable and arbitrary under the circumstances,” according to Park County... (click on link for more on this story)

7/5/07: Wolf Coalition makes argument
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Wyoming Wolf Coalition has filed its opening brief in the federal lawsuit over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rejection of the Wyoming wolf plan last year. The coalition consists of associations, private entities and political subdivisions of the state, ranging from livestock groups and sportsmen’s organizations, and from outfitters and guides to county commissions and conservation districts. The wolf coalition asserts in its brief, “By rejecting Wyoming’s petition to delist, by rejecting the Wyoming plan, and by refusing to issue a supplemental environmental impact statement, [FWS] damaged the interests of the Wolf Coalition members and have violated the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.” (click on link for more on this story)

7/2/07: Hunter Hunted: Wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) National Geographic Wild has begun a “gripping new CSI-style series” which examines “vicious animal attacks on humans by wild creatures.” One of the series is called “Hunter hunted: The hunter becomes the hunted” in which “the brutal death of a student points to the first ever wolf attack fatality in North America. Closer analysis reveals that experts may have been too quick to judge the predator ...” The program aired several times in June. Check local listings for more.

7/2/07: Predation compensation examined
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Ranchers rail that when it comes to problems with predators, compensation isn’t the only important factor and certainly isn’t the solution to the problem: controlling the problem animals is critical. Three University of Montana wildlife biology students conducted in-depth interviews with livestock producers in four communities in three states, including Dubois and Kaycee, Wyoming. What they learned is included in their report, called, “Political and social viability of predator compensation programs in the West.”... (click on link for more on this story)

6/30/07: Predator control is economical
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Predator control can be controversial and unpleasant, but it is also an economical practice when applied to benefit agriculture, wildlife and human health. Three scientists authored a research paper called “Economics of predation management in relation to agriculture, wildlife and human health and safety.”.... (click on link for more on this story)

6/30/07: New Mexico county fed up with wolf
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Catron County (New Mexico) Commission has determined that a reintroduced Mexican wolf is a threat to humans and has served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with its notice of intent to remove the animal, since the federal wildlife agency refuses to do so.... (click on link for more on this story)

6/28/07: Get to know Wildlife Services
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) USDA Wildlife Services has a memorandum of understanding with USDI Fish and Wildlife Service to handle on-the-ground wolf problems. While FWS is the agency charged with protecting wolves and is the decision-maker on when to take problem wolves out of the population, it’s Wildlife Services that gets called to control the animals. With decades upon decades of experience in animal damage control, these guys are pros at taking out problem wolves. If you’re a livestock producer who is seeing wolves or sign of wolves and haven't worked with Wildlife Services before, get in touch with your local specialists and get an agreement in place in advance. Wildlife Services must have a written agreement with the landowner, authorizing them to conduct control activities on private land. It’s a short, simple form that can be completed in a couple of minutes. There is no charge to the producer for their services.... (click on link for more on this story)

6/28/07: Wyoming Wolf lawsuit moves forward
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The State of Wyoming recently filed its opening brief in U.S. District Court for Wyoming in its continued battle with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for wolf delisting. On July 1, 2005, the State of Wyoming filed a petition asking FWS to amend the existing gray wolf management regulations, but the federal agency has failed to make a decision on that petition.... (click on link for more on this story)

6/28/07: Wolf killed in Big Horns
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Last Wednesday, June 20, a two-year old male wolf was killed by an M-44 coyote bait in the Bighorn Mountains near Ten Sleep, Wyoming. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not acknowledge the presence of wolves in this area, but every once in a while, one ends up getting killed or is caught killing livestock. At least one local sheep producer has reportedly experienced losses to two wolves in recent weeks. Federal law enforcement agents are investigating the death of the wolf. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that after wolves from the Washakie wolf pack killed a calf and a cow near Dubois, USDA Wildlife Services personnel killed two adult male wolves (on 6/20/07). Control is complete at this time.

6/17/07: What's up with wolves in Colorado?
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Colorado is part of the gray wolf's native range, but wolves were eradicated from the state by the mid-1930s. With the introduction of wolves into neighboring states, some believe it is only a matter of time before wolves start migrating into Colorado from the north and south. In fact, several Yellowstone-area wolves have already been discovered in that state... (click on link for more on this story)

6/17/07: Long Term Wolf Impact Unknown
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) According to a paper written by three wildlife researchers, the long-term ecological impact of the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction program remains unknown. The paper, Yellowstone After Wolves, was published in BioScience magazine. The paper notes that in Isle Royale National Park, wolves completed eliminated the coyote population, and had severe impacts on the moose population. What’s in store for Yellowstone? Read the paper to learn more... (click on link for more on this story)

6/17/07: Wolves and Humans Series
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota has produced a new “Wolves and Humans” informational series of brochures to help foster wolf/human coexistence, including a tip sheet for avoiding conflicts with wolves and another on wolves that have become habituated to humans, among the five in the current series. The International Wolf Center encourages the reproduction of these informational sheets for your personal use, or for distribution to any audience.... (click on link for more on this story)

6/15/07: A Place for Wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Ever wonder just what plans are in the works for wolf restoration efforts? Last year Defenders of Wildlife issued its “blueprint” for wolf restoration in the lower 48 states. Called “Places for Wolves”, the plan outlines what this national environmental group would like to see happen with wolf restoration... (click on link for more on this story)

6/8/07: Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd slam feds
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Montana-based Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd (“Friends”) has retained Cheyenne’s Budd-Falen law firm to begin preparation of a wolf lawsuit. Back in the fall of 2001, Friends filed a petition to delist Northern Rocky Mountain wolves from the list of federally protected species, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service summarily rejected. The State of Wyoming filed a similar petition four years later, to which FWS noted had some merit, but eventually rejected the state’s wolf management plan. Now that dispute is pending in federal court while FWS has also proposed to move forward with delisting.... (click on link for more on this story)

6/8/07: Freudenthal’s wolf plan (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) In an attempt to ensure that Wyoming is not left out of plans to remove gray wolves from federal protection, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal recently transmitted a draft wolf management plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that he said is based on recent discussions with the agency. Actually, FWS drafted the plan, submitted it through a state legislator to the governor, who then approved it and sent it back to FWS...(click on link for more on this story)

6/7/07: Outfitter talks of wolf impact (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Terry Pollard of Bald Mountain Outfitters in Pinedale, Wyoming, gives observations about wolf activity and the impact on elk during 2005 and 2006 near their hunting camp in the Little Sandy area and the Wind River Mountains...(click on link for more on this story)

6/7/07: WWGA not pleased with wolf deal (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Wyoming Wool Growers Association is none too pleased with the wolf deal Governor Dave Freudenthal negotiated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In a statement released by WWGA executive Bryce Reece, the organization expressed extreme disappointment in Freudenthal's decision...(click on link for more on this story)

6/6/07: Idaho Wolf Kills Domestic Elk (and other Idaho Wolf news) (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Last week in May, an elk rancher reported to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services that a wolf had gotten inside a domestic elk pen south of Tendoy in eastern Idaho and killed an elk. The Endangered Species Act, however, does not consider domestic elk and deer as livestock, and officials initiated no response. The individual was told that shooting at the wolf was illegal. But he would have to chase the wolf out of the pen using nonlethal methods, because no wild animal, especially a listed species, can be held in captivity...(click on link for more on this story)

6/5/07: Avoiding Wolf/Dog Conflicts (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Idaho Fish and Game Department has issued a caution to recreationists headed to the mountains with their family dogs, noting that "with the growing wolf population in the backcountry, they may be heading into trouble." IF&G notes that while it's impossible to completely eliminate wolf/dog conflicts in wolf habitat, precautions when walking dogs or hunting with hounds include...(click on link for more on this story)

5/25/07: Governor optimistic about wolf negotiation (By Governor Freudenthal's Office) On Thursday, May 24, Gov. Dave Freudenthal transmitted a draft wolf management plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that is based on recent discussions with the agency. Freudenthal commended the Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to weave both Wyoming’s 2003 wolf management plan and the state’s 2007state legislation into a federal rule leading to the delisting of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List... (click on link for more on this story)

4/25/07: Three Wolves Killed (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Kill order issued on three more. On April 9, USDA Wildlife Services personnel confirmed a calf had been killed by wolves near Daniel, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in an area that has had repeated depredations over the last several years. FWS requested Wildlife Services remove the three wolves seen frequenting the area. The next day, on April 10, Wildlife Services killed the three wolves, including two males and one female... (click on link for more on this story)

4/6/07: New Wolf Rules in the Works (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wolf Recovery Coordinator Ed Bangs reported this week that he has been working on a proposed modification to the 2005 experimental population 10j rule that would make it easier for states and tribes with approved wolf management plans to remove (kill) wolves that were
impacting wild ungulate populations.... (click on link for more on this story)

4/4/07: Wyoming has its own timeline for Wolf management (By Governor Freudenthal's Office) Wyoming will pursue its own time line when considering revisions to the state’s wolf management rules, Governor Dave Freudenthal said in a letter today to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Mitch King... (click on link for more on this story)

4/3/07: Alaska Wolf Bounty Halted (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Restraining order blocks $150 boundy to kill wolves as part of predator control program An Alaska Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state from paying a $150 bounty to permittees who kill wolves as part of the predator control programs. The decision is a result of a motion filed by Defenders of Wildlife, the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Alaska Chapter of the Sierra Club earlier in the week that challenged the legal authority of the state to issue bounties... (click on link for more on this story)

4/1/07: Wolf News Roundup (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Defenders of Wildlife, the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Alaska Chapter of the Sierra Club have asked the Alaska Superior Court to shut down the state’s $150-per-wolf bounty program, pointing to the 1984 repeal of Alaska's bounty laws. The environmental groups allege that the state has no current legal authority to implement the bounties... (click on link for more on this story)

3/23/07: Effects of Wolves on Elk (By Wyoming Game & Fish Department) A detailed look at the effects that wolves are having on elk populations in northwestern Wyoming. In the report, department biologists analyzed statewide elk population data from 1980 through 2005... (click on link for more on this story)

3/21/07: Wolf population continues to increase (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The wolf population in Wyoming in 2006 included at least 311 wolves and was a 23-percent increase from the year before, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service... (click on link for more on this story)

3/9/07: Wolf control costs calculated (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) At an early March, 2007, meeting of the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association in Pinedale, Rod Krischke of Wildlife Services gave a report of his agency’s activities in Sublette County for the last year... (click on link for more on this story)

3/6/07: Wolves cause feedground problems (By Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Pinedale Online) Wolves have been disrupting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s feedground operations in northwest Wyoming again this winter. In the past several weeks, Game and Fish personnel at feedgrounds have become increasingly frustrated with the wolf activity and their lack of ability to deal with the predators... (click on link for more on this story)

3/2/07: Governor signs Wolf Management Bill (By Governor Freudenthal's office, Pinedale Online) Governor Freudenthal signed the wolf-management bill HB213, "Game and fish-wolf management," also known as House Enrolled Act 123, into law on March 2, 2007... (click on link for more on this story)

3/2/07: Wolf spat in court (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!)
While attention remains focused on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s wolf delisting proposal and the federal agency’s rejection of Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal’s demands relating to wolves and wildlife, the state’s lawsuit against FWS over its failure to delist wolves continues, with bickering occurring even in the court... (click on link for more on this story)

2/13/07: Wolf delisting planned for most of Wyoming (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Wolves will remain federally protected as a “non-essential, experimental” population in a small portion of northwestern Wyoming, while wolves in the remainder of the state will be delisted and removed from federal protection, under a federal plan just unveiled... (click on link for more on this story)

2/11/07: Pinedale Plan Proposes Wolf Protectons (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Although federal rules promulgated when wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park as a non-essential experimental population promised that no federal land use restrictions would be needed outside the national parks to protect wolves, the draft Pinedale Resource Management Plan environmental impact statement seems to reneg on that commitment... (click on link for more on this story)

2/2/07: Luthi nominated second in command at FWS (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) U.S. Senator Craig Thomas praised President Bush’s intention to appoint Randall Luthi to be Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thomas sought Luthi’s appointment with the White House. As Deputy Director, Luthi will be responsible for ensuring the enhancement of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people... (click on link for more on this story)

1/29/07: LaBarge Wolf Killed (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!)
U.S. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that on January 24, an uncollared adult wolf was caught in a coyote trap on a private ranch near LaBarge. The trap drag did not hold and the wolf ran off with the trap. The trapper notified FWS. FWS’s Mike Jimenez and his crew “went to the area, tracked the wolf, and tranquilized a very old, gray, female wolf,” FWS reported. The wolf had severe foot injuries from being held in the trap for several days, as well as extremely worn teeth; some teeth were worn down to the gum line. Due to the severity of the injuries to its foot, the wolf was euthanized, the agency reported... (click on link for more on this story)

1/26/07: Planning for Wolf Hunts (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!)
If the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has it’s way, the Idaho Legislature will amend state law to include a provision so that it would cost $26.50 for a tag to hunt wolves in Idaho once they are removed from the endangered species list.
The commission plans to ask the legislature to change state statutes to allow the commission to authorize wolf hunts, so if wolves are removed from the endangered species list the department would be prepared to set hunts and sell tags. The federal government has said it plans to initiate the delisting process this month. An actual hunting season on wolves could be months or years away depending on the outcome of that process.

1/25/07: Planning for Wolf Hunts (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!)
On Thursday, January 25, commissioners approved recommended changes to three statutes that would authorize the commission to issue tags and set fees. The commissioners also agreed to ask for up to 10 special commissioners' wolf tags, and to set the price of a resident wolf tag at $26.50 and a nonresident tag at $256. Hunters also must purchase an Idaho hunting license. For the changes to be approved this year in time for the possibility of wolf delisting this fall, the proposed changes must be submitted as proposed legislation by early February.

Meanwhile, Fish and Game officials are working on a wolf hunting and species management plan under the guidelines of the Idaho Wolf Conservation and Management Plan that would reduce wolf numbers in areas of conflict and try to stabilize numbers across the rest of the state. Any hunting seasons must be approved by the commissioners.

Large carnivore coordinator Steve Nadeau has assembled a planning team that includes the Fish and Game wildlife staff members and wolf specialist. The public will be involved at various levels throughout the planning process.?Fish and Game officials expect to have a final plan for hunting delisted wolves in Idaho ready for Commission approval in November.

Idaho has never had a hunting season on wolves. In 1995, a federal reintroduction program brought 35 wolves to Idaho. Today, officials estimate about 650 wolves in 71 packs, and 41 or more breeding pairs inhabit Idaho.

1/23/07: Northern Yellowstone elk numbers down (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) It appears, once again, that wolves are responsible for dropping numbers in the Northern Yellowstone elk population. The Northern Yellowstone Cooperative Wildlife Working Group conducted its annual winter survey of the northern Yellowstone elk population on Dec. 30. The Northern Yellowstone elk herd winters between the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park and Dome Mountain/Dailey Lake in the Paradise Valley. This year’s count of 6,738 elk was similar to the count of 6,588 elk in March 2006, but significantly lower than the 9,545 elk counted in January 2005.

" This decrease in counted elk likely reflects the continuing effects of predation by wolves and other large carnivores, as well as decreased detection of elk within Yellowstone due to anti-predation behaviors such as smaller group sizes, increased dispersion of groups, and increased use of forested habitats, making them more difficult to locate," said P.J. White, biologist for Yellowstone National Park, in a press release.

" It appears that elk distribution has changed in recent years with elk numbers north of Yellowstone Park leveling off at between 3,200-4,000 elk, while elk numbers wintering inside the park may be decreasing," according to Tom Lemke, biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

" In an effort to reduce hunter mortality on female elk, FWP has reduced the number of antlerless Late Elk Hunt permits over the last several years. For the last 2 years only 100 antlerless permits have been issued," said Lemke. "At the current level of harvest, recreational hunting has very little impact on elk numbers in a population of several thousand animals. Hunting has basically been removed as a significant factor regulating northern Yellowstone elk numbers."

The state elk plan calls for a winter population objective of 3,000-5,000 elk north of Yellowstone with 2,000-3,000 of those animals wintering on or near the state-owned Dome Mountain Wildlife Management Area. In the last 4 years, an estimated total of 3,200-4,000 elk have wintered in the area with 2,100-2,800 elk using the Dome Mountain WMA.

By the end of this winter, biologists expect elk numbers north of the park to remain within management objectives. In contrast, during the late 1990s, 5,300-8,600 elk wintered north of the park with 3,500-4,500 elk in the Dome Mountain area. Approximately two-thirds of the elk observed during the count were located within Yellowstone National Park, and the remainder were located north of the park boundary. Biologists used three fixed-wing aircraft to count elk through the entire northern range during the one-day survey.

1/23/07: Inquest into wolf mauling (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) There will be a coroner’s inquest into the death of a 22-year old man, Kenton Carnegie, who died in November 2005 due to a wolf attack in northern Saskatchewan. The inquest will be held Feb. 5-9 in the Court of Queen’s Bench in Prince Albert, according to newsdurhamregion.com.

1/23/07: Wolves in Canada (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!)
CBC News North reports that an increase in wolf presence around the town of Iqaluit, Candada, led government officials to alert school officials to issue a warning to parents and students. The news accounts note that hunters and trappers believes the wolves are coming in close out of hunger and pose a threat to humans, both children and adults.

1/20/07: Sublette County statute changes on wolf tags (By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online) The quagmire over future plans for the management of wolves in Wyoming shows no sign of easing, and although state and federal officials keep talking, each side seems to be showing few signs of actually listening to the other...

For permission to reprint Cat's articles and photos (one-time, non-exclusive) posted here, please contact Cat Urbigkit at Pinedale Online.

1/15/07: Wolves in Armenia
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A wolf has been attacking villagers in Armenia, according to news accounts posted by ArmeniaNow.com reporters. At least four people were attacked in the southern village of Brnakot before the wolf moved on to two other villages, attacking several more people in the process. Although a hunting party was organized by police, when the wolf entered a house and attacked a man in the town of Sisian, another man killed the animal by beating it with his rifle. The wolf had attacked a total of seven people who were treated in hospitals.

The Armenia Rescue Service director was quoted as reporting that no cases of wolf attacks had been reported in the republic for three or four years.

1/10/07: Idaho wolf in Wyoming
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that on Jan. 8, wolf project leader Mike Jimenez responded to a call from a coyote trapper who had incidentally captured an uncollared female pup from the Washakie pack near Dubois, Wyoming. The wolf was collared and released on site. Two days later, the same trapper notified FWS that he had captured an adult black breeding male wolf. The wolf was wearing an ear tag indicating it had been born in 2003 near Boise, Idaho. Both wolves appeared to be in good shape, FWS reported. The federal wildlife agency now plans to monitor these wolves to confirm their pack affiliation.

1/10/07: Biggest wolf killed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) According to international news accounts, a gray wolf weighing 80kg (176 pounds) was shot and killed in northwestern Bulgaria by a hunter. This is the biggest wolf ever recorded. A hunter (Slavcho Slavchev) shot the wolf, estimated to be six years old, while waiting for other game. The news account noted that Bulgaria has one of the largest game populations in Europe and is home to more than 2.500 wolves. If the weight is confirmed, it will beat out the past record of 174 pounds on a wolf taken in Alaska in 1939.

12/29/06: Delisting
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online)The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is going to be prepared to move forward with delisting, either with or without Wyoming. According to a press release from Idaho Governor Jim Risch, FWS Director Dale Hall told him that FWS is preparing a two-pronged approach for delisting wolves in Idaho and Montana. One approach includes Wyoming, if the legislature approves a new management plan in the upcoming session, and the other excludes Wyoming “if no progress is made.”

Idaho and Montana have had management plans in place for wolves in those states that have far exceeded recovery goals. FWS rejected Wyoming's management plan and the issue is now being litigated. Hall told Risch that FWS would publish a notice in the Federal Register by the end of January 2007 to begin the process that will remove federal protection for wolves in Idaho and Montana under the Endangered Species Act