Fourth Wolf Hunt Nears Limit in North Idaho

Wolf hunters have taken four wolves as of Monday, November 30, in the Palouse-Hells Canyon zone in north Idaho where the limit is five wolves, leaving one wolf until that zone closes. The zone includes big game management units 8, 8A, 11, 11A, 13 and 18. Three other zones already have closed. The wolf season closed November 17 in the Dworshak-Elk City zone, on November 9 in the McCall-Weiser zone in west central Idaho, and on November 2 in the Upper Snake zone in eastern Idaho. Elsewhere in the state wolf seasons remain open. Wolf hunters are reminded to check the harvest limit in the wolf hunting zones they intend to hunt. Idaho Department of Fish and Game set wolf harvest limits by 12 zones. The wolf season has been extended to March 31, 2010. Hunters who pursue wolves after December 31, however, need a 2010 wolf tag and hunting license. Seasons remain open until March 31 or until the limit for a wolf management zone is reached, or when the statewide limit of 220 wolves is reached, whichever comes first. As of Monday, November 30, the statewide hunter harvest was at 114 wolves. Harvest information is updated as soon as it is reported. To find out whether a zone is open, call 877-872-3190. The Fish and Game wolf harvest Webpage is updated less frequently, but provides a zone map and other useful information: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/wolf/quota.cfm. Wolf hunters are required by state law to report within 24 hours of harvesting a wolf and then must present the hide and skull to a Fish and Game conservation officer or regional office within five days. To report a wolf kill, call 877-872-3190 toll free. The information on the report is essential to Idaho wolf management.