Annual Washington wolf population report shows growth in wolf packs and breeding

[MADMAX]

Annual Washington wolf population report shows growth in wolf packs and breeding pairs in 2022

OLYMPIA – Washington's wolf population continued to grow in 2022 for the 14th consecutive year.

The Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2022 Annual Report was released today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and shows a 5% increase in wolf population growth from the previous count in 2021. WDFW also documented Washington's first pack to recolonize the south Cascades this winter.

"The growth we're observing in the North Cascades continues to be encouraging and having a pack become established in the South Cascades is a big step toward recovery of wolves in Washington," said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. "The goal has been for wolves to spread into all three recovery zones, and we are pleased to see their progress in recolonizing their former range."

As of Dec. 31, 2022, WDFW and Tribes counted 216 wolves in 37 packs in Washington. Twenty-six of these packs were successful breeding pairs. These numbers compare with the previous year's count of 206 wolves in 33 packs and 19 breeding pairs.

Eight new packs formed in 2022 including the Big Muddy pack in Klickitat County, the Napeequa and Maverick packs in Chelan County, the Chopaka and Chewuch packs in Okanogan County, the Wilmont pack on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) in Ferry County, the Five Sisters pack in Stevens County, and the Mt. Spokane pack in Spokane County.

Wolves are counted annually through activities like track, aerial, and camera surveys. As in past years, survey results represent minimum counts of wolves in the state due to the difficulty of accounting for every animal – especially lone wolves without a pack.

Because this is a minimum count, the actual number of wolves in Washington is higher. Since the first WDFW survey in 2008, the state's wolf population has grown by an average of 23% per year.

Most wolf packs were not involved in documented livestock depredation in 2022. Eighty-one percent were not involved in any known or probable livestock depredations, while 19% of known wolf packs were involved in at least one confirmed depredation. Only three packs were involved in two or more depredations. Fifteen cattle and two sheep were confirmed killed by wolves, and one was likely killed by wolves. Also, nine cattle were confirmed as injured and two were likely injured by wolves in 2022 by seven packs.

"Implementation of proactive, nonlethal deterrence efforts by livestock producers, community partners, range riders, and WDFW staff has minimized documented livestock depredation and removal of wolves, all while our wolf population continues to grow," said WDFW Wolf Policy Lead Julia Smith.

Since 1980, gray wolves have been listed under state law as endangered throughout Washington. In January of 2021, wolves were federally delisted from federal Endangered Species Act protection and WDFW resumed statewide management of the species. On February 10, 2022, wolves were federally relisted in the western two-thirds of the state and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) once again has the lead role in the recovery of wolves in the North Cascades and the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast recovery regions.

Contributors to WDFW's annual wolf report include the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Swinomish Tribe, Yakama Nation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

[Magnum_Willys]

I wish they celebrated an attempted recovery of our depleted game animal populations with such zeal.

[Oh Mah]

Anyone good enough in math to figure this equation out?

How many wolves are need to have a 5 percent increase if 1 pair having a litter of 6 pups is a gain of 400% ?

[Skyvalhunter]

Well the WDFW seems to be quite joyous of this. While for me it turns my stomach. 36 packs, that's a whole lot of ungulates going down.

[MADMAX]

And everything else they can catch and eat

[Oh Mah]

27 breeding pairs is 54 wolves, cant call them breeding pairs if their not breeding so if each pair had just 1 pup each that would be a gain of 50%.

5% is an impossible lie unless there are 1000s of wolves in this state that do not breed.

[idaho guy]

27 breeding pairs is 54 wolves, cant call them breeding pairs if their not breeding so if each pair had just 1 pup each that would be a gain of 50%.

5% is an impossible lie unless there are 1000s of wolves in this state that do not breed.

That growth rate seems absurdly low. The stats I have seen is uncontrolled wolf population grows about 40-50 percent. Which makes sense if you left a male and female dog in the backyard how many dogs would you have in 1 year? First year of full trapping and hunting season Idaho took out something like 300-400 wolves and idaho fish and game guy told me that might keep our population even (if we were lucky). Total numbers of wolves seems way low also 

[Bob33]

Anyone good enough in math to figure this equation out?

How many wolves are need to have a 5 percent increase if 1 pair having a litter of 6 pups is a gain of 400% ?

How many die each year?

[Oh Mah]

the number of deaths should not account for much since they say the rate of packs has grown 4 packs which is a almost 9% gain. they are not telling the truth about these wolf numbers to be certain.

[huntnphool]

the number of deaths should not account for much since they say the rate of packs has grown 4 packs which is a almost 9% gain. they are not telling the truth about these wolf numbers to be certain.

 +1!

[RB]

I wish they celebrated an attempted recovery of our depleted game animal populations with such zeal.

 

[zwickeyman]

We all know 5% is BS. Everything we have read the last 15 years shows an unchecked population averages closer to 26% a year growth. Their BS makes me sick, So glad I moved to Idaho and feel sorry for all the Wa hunters and game

[boneaddict]

Sickening BS

[mburrows]

Straight up lies.

[TVHunts]

Straight up lies.

   EXACTLY!

[boneaddict]

If anyone has ever followed their deer population reports and compared them to reality then you'd know their bias.

[Ridgerunner]

They have special math when it comes to wolves.  Run the actually numbers and then discount heavily to show minimal growth well below what basic math says.  Given their latest maps some wolf packs are even no more, guess they moved to other grounds with more game. 

[RB]

If anyone has ever followed their deer population reports and compared them to reality then you'd know their bias.

Problem is every wolf lover out there believes the Deer are in decline due to habitat loss, because that is what they have been told.

[wolfbait]

I would guess WDF&Wolves write this load of crap for those who don't know chit about anything wolves, and then there's the pro-wolf idiots.

It's the same load with every "report", low count wolves and high count deer etc...

Who really takes anything they have to say seriously? WDF&Wolves is just another fake environmentalist group.

[buckfvr]

The problem is the ratio of believers vs. non-believers.  The "nons", being us, (mostly), is insignificant in their eyes.

[Special T]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

[pianoman9701]

The deck is stacked against the wildlife sportsmen and women have brought back to abundance.

"The growth we're observing in the North Cascades continues to be encouraging and having a pack become established in the South Cascades is a big step toward recovery of wolves in Washington," said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. "The goal has been for wolves to spread into all three recovery zones, and we are pleased to see their progress in recolonizing their former range."

Incidentally, Director, their former range is in Canada. These are far from the same wolves that were here before. You should know that. 

[MADMAX]

Next up Grizzly bears
I hope the hikers enjoy them and take lots of nice up close pictures

[idaho guy]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

   

This is the answer. Also recruit the nez peirce of idaho they are shooting a lot of elk in the blues. Why not compensate them to kill wolves and cats? I have no dog in this fight really but I would love to see it happen. It’s the ultimate punch back to anti hunting *censored*s. I think form a new foundation to compensate natives but operating exactly like the f4wm

[ghosthunter]

There is no way we should support a recovery plan. Because when the goal is reached the anti crowd will challenge any delisting. They change the rules to suit themselves.
Given the present state of things in this state we as sportsman have limited days left. At this point I see no reason to support the Dept at all. There may be good people left but they are in a head lock with no good moves in sight.

The relationship between the Dept and the hunting public has suffered irreparable harm, and I see no reason to pretend that it will change.

[wolfbait]

Next up Grizzly bears
I hope the hikers enjoy them and take lots of nice up close pictures

Odd thing is those who supported the illegal wolf introduction don't have the same feelings for the grizzly bears, they flat out don't want the bears, at least the ones I have talked with.

There is no way we should support a recovery plan. Because when the goal is reached the anti crowd will challenge any delisting. They change the rules to suit themselves.
Given the present state of things in this state we as sportsman have limited days left. At this point I see no reason to support the Dept at all. There may be good people left but they are in a head lock with no good moves in sight.

The relationship between the Dept and the hunting public has suffered irreparable harm, and I see no reason to pretend that it will change.

Hunt while you can, because by the time delisting does come around there won't be much left.

Remember Idaho, MT and Wyoming were eligible for delisting in 5-6 years, look at where we are and ask yourself how many wolves does WA really have? Remember the damage the wolves did to the Yellowstone and Lolo elk etc. in a short time.

WA has had uncontrolled wolves officially for 21 years, going from 2002 which is when WDFW claimed wolves first started their "migration".
Then throw in the protection of bears and cougars with no hound hunting etc.. Not a promising future for WA's hunting.

WDFW's management of predators is the largest poacher of your hunting opportunities, and don't expect it to get any better with time.

[Skyvalhunter]

It is scary to think that without poisoning States that have already hunted with high tag allocation, trapped, longer wolf seasons haven't been able to keep the population in control. To me it just seems that the WDFW news release is the organization bragging about the population growth.

[highcountry_hunter]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

I’m not arguing, I’m just asking. How can the Colville tribe’s ability to legally kill wolves help the entire state? Outside of the Colville rez and the north half, do they have any legal hunting jurisdiction anywhere else in Washington state?


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[RB]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

I’m not arguing, I’m just asking. How can the Colville tribe’s ability to legally kill wolves help the entire state? Outside of the Colville rez and the north half, do they have any legal hunting jurisdiction anywhere else in Washington state?


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I have the same question, can the Tribes legally do this?

[jrebel]

Every year that goes by produces more trail cam photos of wolves in my area.  2018....one pair in the middle of winter.  2023.....Wolves in my driveway and in the area we were shed hunting just two hours earlier.      It makes me sick and to have the state deny that facts is disgusting.   

[idaho guy]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

I’m not arguing, I’m just asking. How can the Colville tribe’s ability to legally kill wolves help the entire state? Outside of the Colville rez and the north half, do they have any legal hunting jurisdiction anywhere else in Washington state?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have the same question, can the Tribes legally do this?

 

Nez perce tribe hunts in the blues yearly. That’s WAY off the reservation
Probably have to be multiple tribes

[Special T]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

I’m not arguing, I’m just asking. How can the Colville tribe’s ability to legally kill wolves help the entire state? Outside of the Colville rez and the north half, do they have any legal hunting jurisdiction anywhere else in Washington state?


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I have the same question, can the Tribes legally do this?

Yes they can. Wolves are federally delisted on the "North Half" or their ceded hunting grounds. They are not subject to Washington laws in that area. now they couldn't do that on Private property Im assuming because their hunting rights are only on public grounds. They can use any methods that are federally legal, and since the feds dont manage game to the same extent as states they have lots of leeway. They can also us footholds, snares, hunt with hounds ect, which we cannot.


I'm not certain but the Nez Pierce and the Confederated Umatilla tribes could possible do this in the blues If that is also in the federal delisted area. It may be considered part of the Rockies but I'm unsure where exactly the line down that direction is.  I'm willing to be corrected, but I've been told by many folks that those 2 tribes are not very big on predator control.

Other tribes MAY be able to do something similar but I don't happen to know much about the other tribes hunting rights on that side of the state. The Spokane's smoke them on the Rez, and I've been able to talk to a couple that have shot them. If the Feds ever delist in the Cascades the Yakimas could wreck havoc in a huge swath of country. They could trap and hound hunt cougars in a huge are if they had the incentive to do so. Certain Tribes have culled cougars in ceded hunting areas with hounds to great effect, and to the benefit of all sportsmen.

I believe sportsmen need to have a Come To Jesus meeting regarding our frustration with some tribes/members. We can support them despite our strong dislike for some of what they do, OR we can fight really hard and be organized. Its going to take more work than we have been doing either way. 

[highcountry_hunter]

The deck is stacked against sportsmen. I believe those in the department that want to help us are trapped by employees that LOVE carnivores and do everything in their power to protect them. I think the only solution resides outside of working with the state on this issue. I believe the only way out of this problem and to punch back at anti hunters is to start and support a Foundation for Wildlife Management chapter for the Colville Tribe. https://f4wm.org/  Are we willing to raise money to reimburse tribal trappers? To hold education classes? Find donations, bid on them, and attend banquets?

The wolf plan is broken and I don't believe that the legislature will fix this problem. Following through on this would wreck the possibility of fulfilling the wolf plan to restoration... But considering that Many of us do not believe the anti hunters are dealing in good faith, does it matter?

I’m not arguing, I’m just asking. How can the Colville tribe’s ability to legally kill wolves help the entire state? Outside of the Colville rez and the north half, do they have any legal hunting jurisdiction anywhere else in Washington state?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have the same question, can the Tribes legally do this?

Yes they can. Wolves are federally delisted on the "North Half" or their ceded hunting grounds. They are not subject to Washington laws in that area. now they couldn't do that on Private property Im assuming because their hunting rights are only on public grounds. They can use any methods that are federally legal, and since the feds dont manage game to the same extent as states they have lots of leeway. They can also us footholds, snares, hunt with hounds ect, which we cannot.


I'm not certain but the Nez Pierce and the Confederated Umatilla tribes could possible do this in the blues If that is also in the federal delisted area. It may be considered part of the Rockies but I'm unsure where exactly the line down that direction is.  I'm willing to be corrected, but I've been told by many folks that those 2 tribes are not very big on predator control.

Other tribes MAY be able to do something similar but I don't happen to know much about the other tribes hunting rights on that side of the state. The Spokane's smoke them on the Rez, and I've been able to talk to a couple that have shot them. If the Feds ever delist in the Cascades the Yakimas could wreck havoc in a huge swath of country. They could trap and hound hunt cougars in a huge are if they had the incentive to do so. Certain Tribes have culled cougars in ceded hunting areas with hounds to great effect, and to the benefit of all sportsmen.

I believe sportsmen need to have a Come To Jesus meeting regarding our frustration with some tribes/members. We can support them despite our strong dislike for some of what they do, OR we can fight really hard and be organized. Its going to take more work than we have been doing either way. 

I see…
Well, I’m all for it. I’m unfamiliar with the other tribes outside of the Colville and Spokane, but I feel like there would definitely need to be an incentive for them aside from helping our game numbers to get them to help us on non-tribal land.
I’ve got a few buddies that run hounds for lions on the Colville rez (they make damn good money off the hides too). I asked them to come to the north half and help thin out some of our lions and their response was basically “Why would we drive all the way up there when we knock the hell out of them 10 miles from our back door.”
The ability of being able to trap them would be a huge advantage, however I’m not aware of many tribal members who are actively attempting to trap them on the reservation. Might be tough to get anyone to consistently drive from Nespelum/Keller/Inchelium/Omak to the north half to check traps (however I have no idea their trapping regulations and how often they are required to check traps)
Regardless, I think this idea could help. Hell, anything at this point could help. I’m not familiar enough with other tribes but from what I see on a map we might have some huge areas unaccounted for. All of Stevens county north and east of the Spokane rez. Not sure about from Omak west towards the Methow?
Kalispell tribe might be able to assist in Pend Orielle county. That thick country would really benefit from trapping over hunting.
I dunno…just some thoughts.


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[Special T]

If I could hunt them 10 miles from my house, Wouldn't drive far either. Ive been told that predator hunting is NOT predominate in many tribes culture. Additionally the Rez is a sink. you can kill all the cats you want and they will just fill in from the boundaries due to high populations. They might drive a ways north is they had a financial incentive.

[hunter399]

I wouldn't expect to much help from natives.
Only thing they owe us is the middle finger.

Those wolf numbers don't sound right to me.
I can't remember what Idaho wolf growth rate was.
Our biologists compare ungulate numbers with Idaho all the time. But wolves .....no...no....no...Washington can't compare wolf numbers or wolf growth with Idaho.

We will never see a wolf tag in this state.
Also if you read enough about wolves on all these wildlife conservation places. They just paint a picture of eastern Washington hunters being a bunch of poachers. That's why our wolf population isn't growing.
So it really depends on who you ask.

[wolfbait]

I wouldn't expect to much help from natives.
Only thing they owe us is the middle finger.

Those wolf numbers don't sound right to me.
I can't remember what Idaho wolf growth rate was.
Our biologists compare ungulate numbers with Idaho all the time. But wolves .....no...no....no...Washington can't compare wolf numbers or wolf growth with Idaho.

We will never see a wolf tag in this state.
Also if you read enough about wolves on all these wildlife conservation places. They just paint a picture of eastern Washington hunters being a bunch of poachers. That's why our wolf population isn't growing.
So it really depends on who you ask.

Under oath, Mech said wolf populations double in size each year> Another BS lie that has followed the wolf introduction is the 35% increase each year, and it seems every state has latched on to that lie which Low count wolf increases.

[pianoman9701]

I wouldn't expect to much help from natives.
Only thing they owe us is the middle finger.

Those wolf numbers don't sound right to me.
I can't remember what Idaho wolf growth rate was.
Our biologists compare ungulate numbers with Idaho all the time. But wolves .....no...no....no...Washington can't compare wolf numbers or wolf growth with Idaho.

We will never see a wolf tag in this state.
Also if you read enough about wolves on all these wildlife conservation places. They just paint a picture of eastern Washington hunters being a bunch of poachers. That's why our wolf population isn't growing.
So it really depends on who you ask.

They're killing more wolves than the DFW. 

[hunter399]

I wouldn't expect to much help from natives.
Only thing they owe us is the middle finger.

Those wolf numbers don't sound right to me.
I can't remember what Idaho wolf growth rate was.
Our biologists compare ungulate numbers with Idaho all the time. But wolves .....no...no....no...Washington can't compare wolf numbers or wolf growth with Idaho.

We will never see a wolf tag in this state.
Also if you read enough about wolves on all these wildlife conservation places. They just paint a picture of eastern Washington hunters being a bunch of poachers. That's why our wolf population isn't growing.
So it really depends on who you ask.

They're killing more wolves than the DFW. 

Yup.
They will manage there lands very well.
All the while ,we will rely on WDFW to manage our lands.
So we know how that will go.

I'm not exactly sure how the legal in and out is.
Maybe a warden can chime in.
I'm not exactly sure they can do any wolf management or wolf hunting that isn't on the reservation.
Maybe they can,but at the same time it may be frowned upon by tribal members. Which makes it a no no.