No Need To Cry Wolf!

IDAHO FALLS - When the United State Fish & Wildlife Service (USWFS) first reintroduced wolves back into Idaho in 1995, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) was forbidden by state law from taking part in the recovery efforts. In nearly the decade since it began, the USFWS along with the Nez Perce Tribe had been responsible for all facets of the program. In April, 2003, Governor Kempthorne, IDFG Director Huffaker, and the Idaho Legislature negotiated and passed a bill into law that allows the State to participate in wolf management. While delisting of the wolf and more involved management by IDFG are still somewhere in the future, IDFG is now an active partner in trying to keep tabs on growing wolf numbers and is asking the public to report all wolf sightings. In Aesop's fable, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," a young shepherd boy causes problems for himself and his village when he repeatedly makes false wolf sightings. To help get accurate and usable information, IDFG has created a spot on their website where the public can go and report all the information that IDFG, along with USWFS and the Nez Perce Tribe need to produce an up-to-date picture of wolf distribution and activity. The link to the wolf reporting form is: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/wildlife/wolves/report.cfm According to Steve Nadeau, IDFG staff biologist in Boise who is in charge of large carnivores, "The Upper Snake Region is just beginning to get wolf activity and our ability to monitor these new and existing packs and maintain a decent population estimate depends on the public reporting sightings in a timely fashion." Currently Idaho has about 40 packs well distributed across the state. The state wolf plan requires that a minimum of 15 packs of wolves be maintained in Idaho. Individuals who have not made the leap to the Internet can report the sightings either in person at the regional office located in Idaho Falls at 4279 Commerce Circle or by calling 525-7290 during business hours.