Concerns about wildlife

Wolves were the main topic of discussion at the recent Idaho for Wildlife meeting. Tony McDermott, Idaho Fish & Game Commissioner, was invited to talk about the state’s wildlife issues and answer questions.

A major concern for Idaho Fish & Game is the current lawsuit over the delisting of wolves in Idaho and Montana but not Wyoming.

Thirteen environmental and conservation groups believe that Wyoming’s wolves should not be a considered a distinct population segment from the wolves in Idaho and Montana.

The main difference between Wyoming, Montana and Idaho is that Wyoming considers wolves predators whereas Montana and Idaho consider wolves big game animals.

 Idaho and Montana shouldn’t be punished if Wyoming manages their wildlife differently, McDermott said.

“We are deeply concerned and are having discussions in case Judge Molloy gives us an unfavorable ruling,” said McDermott. “The best thing is to get the wolf delisted and managed.”

“We are going to open the entire toolbox,” said McDermott about managing the population.

The toolbox includes hunting, trapping, control actions by the Idaho Fish & Game and control actions by USDA Wildlife Services. “We have to get the population back to where it belongs.”

“I’ve seen the devastation,” said Guy Patchen, in reference to how the wolves are impacting big game animals. “It is a lot different deal for us to harvest a wolf here than down by Salmon.”

During wolf hunting season, 188 wolves were harvested in Idaho and 73 in Montana. Idaho’s quota was 220 and Montana’s quota was 75.

“We didn’t think we would kill 188 wolves,” said McDermott. At the end of 2009, there were 835 wolves in Idaho.

“The real issue is how many wolves can we support,” said McDermott. “We don’t need wolves eating our elk.”

Another concern brought forth by Idaho for Wildlife members was the parasitic tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus, found in wolves.    

The parasite cycles between canine species (coyotes, wolves, foxes, dogs) and ungulates (moose, deer, elk).

Dogs can become infected with the disease if they eat infected organs. A human has to ingest the tapeworm eggs to become infected, which are found in infected canine feces or anything that has come into contact with those feces.

“Our commission is concerned about the disease,” said McDermott.