Wolf Management In The Northwestern United States

Authors

  • Edward E. Bangs USDA Fish and Wildlife Service, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, Montana 59601, ed_bangs@fws.gov
  • Mike Jimenez USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, Wyoming
  • Carolyn A. Sime Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Helena, Montana 59620
  • Jon Racheal Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, Idaho
  • Curt Mack Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, Idaho
  • Doug Smith USDI National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
  • Kenneth Mills Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Pinedale, Wyoming
  • Jeff Green USDA APHIS, Wildlife Services, Denver, Colorado

Abstract

Gray wolves (Canis lupus) were deliberately eliminated from the northern Rocky Mountains (NRM) by 1930. Restoration began in 1986. There are currently nearly 120 breeding pair and 1800 wolves. Wolf restoration initially proceeded with more benefits and fewer problems than predicted. However, conflicts have steadily increased since 2002 when the population first met its minimum recovery goal. About $40 million has been spent since 1974 and the management program currently costs >$4 million/yr. Wolves were delisted in 2008 and 2009 but relisted by federal court order in 2009 and 2010. While the NRM wolf population is biologically recovered, public opinion remains divisive and the legal, political, and policy decisions will continue to be litigated by a diversity of interests. Science is a poor tool to resolve the differing human values that continue to be debated with great passion through wolf symbolism.

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Published

2011-12-31

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1-4 December (2011)

Section

Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society [Abstracts]