How Many Wolves is Enough?

So one might ask how many wolves in Idaho should the state manage to maintain? The pro-wolf forces have an add showing the decline from near 1,000 wolves in Idaho in 2008 and 2009 as if reducing from that number is a problem. They show "Idaho's War Plan" with an objective of about 150 wolves by 2018 as if that is a bigger problem.

Just to be clear on my opinion before we go on: my answer is that Idaho doesn't need any of these imported Canadian wolves. The Endangered Species Act doesn't protect invasive species and those who planted them should be charged with a crime for the wanton slaughter of more than 180,000 Idaho Elk.

That said one can come up with a number several ways as to what might be manageable. The Idaho Elk herd is estimated at a little over 100,000 animals limited mostly by winter forage and farming interests. The annual seemingly sustainable hunter harvest of this herd is in the range of 15,000-20,000 animals when they aren't being ravished by the wolves. The Idaho Elk Management plan builds on the human value of Elk as being from Elk viewing and hunting. Both require maintaining the overall herd size in the range of 100,000 Elk.

The depredation by wolves must be limited to a small fraction of the hunter harvest; certainly under 10% of the hunter harvest but more preferably under 5%. A higher amount cannot be maintained with the herd size natural limitations. The simple reason is that there is no human value to violent killing of Elk by wolves. So we should strive to limit the total wolf killing of Elk to no more than 750-2,000 Elk per year. The lower number is 5% of 15,000 and the upper number is 10% of 20,000. Studies show each wolf kills between 11 and 35 Elk per year, with an average a little above 20. This suggests that if we have to host this invasive species then management should strive to control it to about 35-100 wolves (750-2,000 divided by 20). Thus the Idaho goal of under 150 seems too high. I believe it is driven by biologist claims that ten packs of ten (i.e. 100) are necessary to maintain biological diversity. Why Idaho should seek to maintain biological diversity for Canadian wolves is beyond me.

There is also the practical matter of paying for the depredation of private animals by wolves. Although I think that those who support the introduction of the Canadian wolves into Idaho should be held responsible to pay for same the State of Idaho has spent its money to handle this problem. Idaho Wolf Control Board

 Idaho Elk Management Plan