Wolf control proposal released

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game today released a proposal asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for permission to reduce the wolf population by 75 percent in the Lolo elk management zone of the Clearwater Region.

Fish and Game biologists say wolf predation is a significant contributor to the decline of elk numbers in the Lolo zone and may be preventing population recovery. The proposal is made under the revised 10(j) rule of the Endangered Species Act, which took effect in February 2005 and allows removal of wolves having an unacceptable effect on elk and deer populations.

The proposal entitled "Effects of Wolf Predation on North Central Idaho Elk Populations" is available for public review on the Fish and Game Website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. A public comment period runs until midnight Feb. 17. Comments may be made online at the Fish and Game site or mailed to: IDFG Wolf Comments, P.O. Box 25, Boise ID 83707.

Fish and Game also plans two public meetings from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Double Tree Riverside Motel in Garden City, and on Feb. 7 at the Fish and Game Regional Office in Lewiston. Detailed information will be available and anyone interested may give their comments at the meetings.