Post by: mulehunter on March 21, 2010, 08:52:12 AM
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=5339 (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=5339)
IDAHO FISH AND GAME
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID
Date: March 8, 2010
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700
op-ed: lolo zone in perspective
By Cal Groen, Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
The Lolo elk herd is in trouble. The latest counts put the herd at 2,178 with poor survival of the cows and calves needed to replenish the herd.
Idaho Fish and Game is committed to saving the Lolo herd and keeping Idaho's other elk herds healthy.
The elk situation in the Lolo elk management zone didn't happen overnight. The Lolo elk herd had glory days after major fires in the early 1900s created phenomenal elk habitat in the Clearwater Region. Elk numbers peaked at 16,000 in the 1980s. But re-growth of brush and forest turned great elk habitat into poor habitat. Predation by bears and mountain lions took its toll.
Following the severe winter of 1996-1997, Lolo elk numbers dropped by nearly half. When the population didn't rebound, Idaho Fish and Game took aggressive steps. We drastically reduced hunter numbers, and ended all cow harvest. We increased bear and lion hunting opportunities to reduce predation. We worked with other partners to improve habitat. Elk numbers started increasing.
Then wolves took over and became the leading cause of Lolo elk deaths. It wasn't until May of last year that the state could finally manage wolves. By then, the balance of elk and wolves in the Lolo Zone was completely out of whack. Extreme predation on adult females and calves means not enough calves survive to replace the adults that die each year.
Idaho began taking steps to reduce wolf numbers with its first regulated wolf hunt starting September 1, 2009. But hunters in the steep, brushy Lolo country have had limited success, taking just 11 wolves of the Lolo zone harvest limit of 27 to date.
With the latest Lolo elk numbers, it is clear more aggressive wolf management is needed to restore the herd. State wildlife managers will recommend significant changes to wolf seasons in the Lolo and other elk-depressed zones, consistent with the 2008-2012 Idaho Wolf Management Plan. These management tools could include increased harvest limits, multiple tags, trapping, and asking outfitters to help reduce wolf numbers.
Even with fewer wolves, changes in the landscape make it unlikely Lolo elk will return to the all-time highs of the 1980s. But Fish and Game will do what it takes to restore the health of the Lolo herd. For many of us, it's more than just professional interest; this herd has personal significance to many Idaho wildlife managers. And finding the right balance for our big game herds and other wildlife is at the heart of Fish and Game's mission.
I am worried about Okanagon DEER Herd! WDFW wouldnt worry!
Avery Idaho is a Small Town middle of Lolo and Selway, I wonder if those hotel and store with gas end up closing down busniess because not enough hunter Annual. Someone probablly need carry 100 gallons of Gas in your truck if your going down this way. :yike:
Mulehunter :bash:
Post by: mulehunter on March 21, 2010, 08:59:18 AM
Wolf Harvest Limit Information and Map
Please call 1-877-872-3190 for the most up-to-date information on harvest limits and closures.
Wolf Harvest Information
Last Updated: March 19, 2010
Please call 1-877-872-3190 for the most up-to-date information on harvest limits and closures.
Wolf Zone Harvest Limit Number Harvested Limit Remaining Status Season Dates
Panhandle 30 23 7 Open Oct 1 - Mar 31
Palouse-Hells Canyon 5 5 0 CLOSED
Lolo 27 12 15 Open Sept 1 - Mar 31
Dworshak-Elk City 18 18 0 CLOSED
Selway 17 11 6 Open Sept 15 - Mar 31
Middle Fork 17 17 0 CLOSED
Salmon 16 16 0 CLOSED
McCall-Weiser 15 15* 0 CLOSED
Sawtooth 55 45 10 Open Sept 1 - Mar 31
Southern Mountains 10 10 0 CLOSED
Upper Snake 5 5 0 CLOSED
Southern Idaho 5 2 3 Open Oct 1 - Mar 31
TOTALS 220 179 41
* One killed illegally before season opened.
Wolf zones close when harvest limits are met.
41 left before March 31. I doubt it will met quote before.
Mulehunter
Post by: ribka on March 21, 2010, 09:21:00 AM
Sorry for the run on sentence too :)
Post by: mulehunter on March 21, 2010, 09:27:10 AM
Mulehunter ;)
Post by: wolfbait on March 22, 2010, 08:09:11 AM
Ribka, Yea True. I will check it out in five years!
Mulehunter ;)
In the Methow Valley, and at the rate the wolves are increasing in other parts Washington most of the people on this forum will see the changes before five years, and thats no pelosi. Good info. Mulehunter.