Washington state wolf population grows by one in 2013

[bobcat]

Washington state wolf population grows by 1
March 8, 2014 @ 1:31 pm (Updated: 1:40 pm - 3/8/14 )

 
SEATTLE (AP) — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife reported Saturday its yearly count of gray wolves living in Washington state found 52 of the predators, one more than at the end of 2012.

The count also found five successful breeding pairs at the end of 2013, the same number as reported in the 2012 count.

Wolves have been a controversial topic ever since they have returned to the state much faster than expected in the past several years.

In 2008, there were only a handful of wolves. In March 2013, there were an estimated 50 to 100 animals in 10 confirmed packs, all in central and eastern Washington.

Wolves are listed as endangered throughout Washington under state law and as endangered in the western two-thirds of the state under federal law.

[fishinmike]

Saw this yesterday, just could not bring myself to post it. Makes me sick.

[buckfvr]

What a bunch of schmucks.................

[jasnt]

I call BS.  10 verified packs and only one more!!!! sounds like most of 2013 was spent in there office/rig.  Where do they find these guys.  You would think that the people who's job it is to count game or enforce game laws got that job because they have a love for it, what made them go after this job.  Idk maybe they just call labor ready and send a few guys out to the woods once in a while.   maybe they're  under manned but I know plenty of guys who would volunteer, my self included

[splitshot]

  should be that the wolf population increased by 1 pack.  does anyone realize that there are wolves between walla walla and Lewiston in the blue mountains?  do they count these.  when I shoot one it is going under,  do they make a shovel that shoots?   mike w

[Elkaholic daWg]

I call BS.  10 verified packs and only one more!!!! sounds like most of 2013 was spent in there office/rig.  Where do they find these guys.  You would think that the people who's job it is to count game or enforce game laws got that job because they have a love for it, what made them go after this job.  Idk maybe they just call labor ready and send a few guys out to the woods once in a while.   maybe they're  under manned but I know plenty of guys who would volunteer, my self included

  Wolf lovers are usually office dwellers, especially when if they get off their a$$es ......their beloved creatures might not sound so wonderful or in need of protection.

[cem3434]

There are just a bunch or really big coyotes running around the woods since there are only 52 wolves. Its ignorant articles like this from the state that makes me want to start coyote hunting.  Kill them all boys!

[jasnt]

I call BS.  10 verified packs and only one more!!!! sounds like most of 2013 was spent in there office/rig.  Where do they find these guys.  You would think that the people who's job it is to count game or enforce game laws got that job because they have a love for it, what made them go after this job.  Idk maybe they just call labor ready and send a few guys out to the woods once in a while.   maybe they're  under manned but I know plenty of guys who would volunteer, my self included

  Wolf lovers are usually office dwellers, especially when if they get off their a$$es ......their beloved creatures might not sound so wonderful or in need of protection.

Your probably right but how will they know if they are actually being protected if they dont know how many they got?  How do they know somebody's not shooting one a week or more? I'd bet they got a much better idea of how many there are and are feeding use BS #'s to keep use off their backs for now

[denali]

I had read somewhere that the 2013 wolf population will be published by late April and will be in the 100-120 range. ?