Idaho Wolf Management
On March 28, 2008, gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the federal endangered species list, and management of wolves within Idaho passed to Idaho Fish and Game. Wolves will be managed as a big game species under the Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan adopted by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission March 6 and under the state’s earlier Wolf Conservation and Management Plan approved by the Idaho Legislature in 2002.
On February 27, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s final rule removing wolves from the endangered species list was published in the Federal Register. It took effect on March 28. Idaho has assumed full management responsibility for wolves. But the Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to review monitoring of wolf populations for five years to ensure they remain above recovery levels.
Delisting includes gray wolves in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah. About 13 years ago, 66 gray wolves were reintroduced to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. Today those wolves number more than 1,500. More than 700 of them are in Idaho.
In addition, the Idaho Legislature has updated legislation that replaces federal law that took effect February 27, giving people the authority to protect their pets and other animals from wolves on private and public land. The state legislation reads: "Wolves may be disposed of by livestock or domestic animal owners, their employees, agents and animal damage control personnel when the same are molesting or attacking livestock or domestic animals." A permit from Fish and Game is not necessary, but wolves killed under these circumstances must be reported to Fish and Game within 72 hours, with a reasonable amount of additional time allowed when access to the site is limited.
For the text of the state legislation click here. For full text of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisting rule and other state and federal documents, please see the links on the right.
What if I have a wolf problem?
If you believe you have a wolf related incident or depredation, 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:
- Boise - Headquarters, (208) 334-3700
- Coeur d'Alene - Panhandle Region, (208) 769-1414
- Lewiston - Clearwater Region, (208) 799-5010
- Nampa - Southwest Region, (208) 465-8465
- McCall - Southwest Subregion, (208) 634-8137
- Jerome - Magic Valley Region, (208) 324-4359
- Pocatello Southeast Region, (208) 232-4703
- Idaho Falls - Upper Snake Region, (208) 525-7290
- Salmon - Salmon Region, (208) 756-2271
Or you may also contact: