Idaho Wolf Management
Federal Protection Reinstated for Idaho Wolves - On July 18, 2008, Judge Donald Molloy of the U.S. District Court in Missoula issued a preliminary injunction that returned the wolf to federal endangered species protection.
The injunction was sought by parties to a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the endangered species list.
The hunting season in Idaho is on hold and no wolf tags will be sold until wolves are delisted. Read Fish and Game rules and state laws on hold pending litigation and until wolves are delisted.
As of July 18, 2008, wolf management south of Interstate 90 has reverted to a section of the Endangered Species Act known as the 10(j) rule, which was amended in January. The unchanged parts of the 2005 10(j) still are in force.
View the text of the 2005 10(j) rule - [USFWS PDF file] and text of the amended portions of the 10(j) rule - [USFWS PDF file].
Simply put, the 10(j) rule allows states and tribes with approved wolf management plans some options to manage wolves to ensure the health of wild elk and deer herds - [PDF, 14KB]. It also provides more flexibility to protect livestock and private property. The rule allows individuals on private or public land to kill a wolf that is in the act of attacking their stock animals (horses, mules, donkey, llamas, goats used to transport people and possessions) or dogs, except land north of Interstate 90 in Idaho, or land administered by the National Park Service, and provided there is no evidence of intentional baiting, feeding or deliberate attractants of wolves.
What if I have a wolf problem?
If you think wolves have attacked livestock or pets, contact Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297. For wolf mortality, or other related incidents requiring immediate attention, contact your local Fish and Game office.
Or, you may also contact: