Here is the response I got from the WDFW. It basically says they start paying attention to wolf reports when there are more than a couple from one area. You decide:
"Mr. W...,
The Director has asked that I respond to your recent e-mail regarding gaining public assistance in conducting wolf counts similar to the concept applied with the Christmas Bird Counts.
Your idea is a good one. We are always looking to involve the public in assiting us in gathering wildlife information. This is particularly true during these austere fiscal times where “citizen science” can help WDFW in gaining information that might other wise have been conducted by the employees we have lost during recent years. Unfortunately, the natural history of wolves does not lend itself well to the public survey concept employed in the Christmas Bird Count. Birds, for the most part, are highly visble and readily surveyed to identify thier species and numbers. Wolves on the other hand, particuarly in the pioneering stage as they are in Washington, are highly secretive, avoid humans and are rarely seen. This changes a little bit once wolves begin pack formation and set up territories. At that time wolves are heard and more often seen. Our current protocol is record all credible wolf sighting and when we begin to get “clusters” of sighting we deploy remote cameras (trailcams). Once we begin to get visual comfirmation from trail cams we then trap the wolves in the area and place radio telememtry caller on them. We then can determine their territories, specific location and eventually the size of the pack. We have utilized citizen science in the deployment of trail cams and record the observation of hunters and others when they are in the bush. However, our experience. and those of other states, is that a broad survey for wolves prior to pack formation is not effective.
We do appreciate your interest. More information on our current packs status, wolf indentification, as well as mechanism for reporting wolf sightings can be found on our website
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/.
Sincerely,
Rocky Beach
Richard J. (Rocky) Beach
Wildlife Diversity Division Manager
WDFW"
