New Wolf Rule For Idaho

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has approved changes in the way reintroduced wolves can be managed in Idaho south of Interstate 90 and in parts of Montana.

The new "10j rules" will take effect February 7. The "10j" refers to the section of the federal Endangered Species Act regarding wolf reintroduction in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

The new "10j" rules apply to wolves in Idaho and Montana that are the result of reintroduction in Central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park in 1995 and 1996. These populations are listed as "experimental non-essential" and will not be affected by a federal court ruling on January 31 regarding "threatened" wolves north of Interstate-90.

The new rule essentially does two things- it gives state residents more latitude in dealing with problem wolves, and it will eventually give the states of Idaho and Montana more authority to manage wolves.

The new 10j rule applies only to Idaho south of I-90 and Montana (south of I-90 and south of the Missouri River). In those areas, the new 10j rule indicates:

- Anyone may harass a wolf in a non-injurious and opportunistic manner (scaring it and running it off in a way that doesn't hurt the wolf) at any time. Such harassment must be reported within seven days.

- Wolves seen attacking livestock, livestock herding and guarding animals, and dogs on private land can be shot by the landowners without prior written authorization. It must be reported within 24 hours and there must be evidence of a wolf attack such as dead or wounded livestock, trampled vegetation, and mixed wolf and livestock sign.

- Wolves attacking, chasing, molesting, or harassing livestock and livestock herding and guarding animals on public federal lands can be shot by grazing permittees and guide/outfitters who use livestock as part of their federal land-use permit, on their active livestock allotments, and on public ceded lands by Tribal members, without prior written authorization. It must be reported within 24 hours and there must be physical evidence of a wolf attack.

- Under some circumstances landowners and public land grazing permittees and guide/outfitting permittees may be issued written authorization to use rubber bullets to harass wolves, or shoot-on-sight permits to kill wolves on their private land or their federal grazing federal allotments.

The new rule also allows the states of Idaho and Montana to petition the USFWS for additional authority to manage wolves. Negotiations are currently underway with USFWS over what specific authorities Idaho Fish and Game will have in wolf management in the future.

Additionally of interest to hunters, the new rule also allows the states of Idaho and Montana to ask USFWS for permission to remove wolves that are having a demonstrated negative effect on deer and elk herds. The states will need to provide scientific evidence of the effect of wolves and engage other scientists and the public in reviewing any proposal to remove wolves. Idaho is currently analyzing data and studying game units in which the Department is receiving hunter complaints and may be showing biological signs of having wolf impacts on elk herds. The USFWS will have the final say on whether or not to accept any proposal from the state.

Eventually state officials hope to see wolves removed from the protections of the Endangered Species Act so wolves can be managed and hunted similar to bears and mountain lions and within the guidelines of the State Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. The changes to the 10j rule are a step in that direction.   

For the past year, Idaho Fish and Game has been preparing to play a greater role in wolf management so more decisions regarding wolves are made at the state rather than the federal level. Federal funds were used to hire two biologists to expand the Department's ability to trap, radio collar monitor, and manage wolves. Additionally, these federal funds allow biologists and conservation officers from around Idaho to participate in wolf monitoring and management.

While radio collars help biologists keep track of wolves, reports from the public are also important. The department is particularly interested in information regarding wolf pack activity, reproductive activity, and wolves frequenting new areas. Please report wolf activity on the department's website wolf report form located at:(http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/wildlife/wolves/report.cfm ). The report will immediately be sent to Idaho Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Wildlife Services, and the Nez Perce Tribe. Biologists may follow up with questions so the report form should be filled out as fully and accurately as possible.

If anyone believes they have a wolf-related depredation, wolf mortality, or other incident that requires immediate attention, they should contact the local Fish and Game Officer, the nearest Fish and Game Regional Office, the USDA Wildlife Services (1-866-0487-3297) or the Nez Perce Tribe (208-634-1061.)         

More complete information on wolves and their management can be found on the Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/wildlife/wolves.

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