Says Wolves Contribute to Elk Declines in Two of 29 Elk Zones
By George Dovel
(Editor’s Note: The following article was reprinted from the Outdoorsman with permission.)
(NOTE: During the last week in May we received several letters and emails from Outdoorsman readers who expressed anger concerning one of two letters received from IDFG by their elk hunting friends or family members who live in other states, and which were forwarded to us.
One of the letters, dated May 18, 2009 and signed by IDFG Communications Chief Mike Keckler, contained a control number on the front and nine multiple choice questions on the back asking why the recipient had not yet purchased a 2009 Idaho hunting license.
The second letter, also typed on IDFG letterhead, was undated and unsigned but also referenced the survey and offered reasons why the recipient should hunt in Idaho. One of the reasons appeared to imply that wolves have been shown to contribute to declines in elk numbers in (only) two of the 29 elk zones and that in (the 27) other elk zones, numbers are holding up or actually increasing.
Everyone who sent us a copy felt that, although the words in parentheses were not included, the intent of the letter was to deliberately mislead the potential license buyer about the wolf impact on Idaho elk herds. The second letter is printed below to let you decide whether it is an innocent solicitation or a deliberate misrepresentation of what an Idaho elk hunter should expect to find. – ED)
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Idaho invites you for a great hunting experience this fall. The wild beauty and herds of big game will be waiting for you.
Bring your hunting buddies this time or bring the family along. Idaho offers one of the country’s best deals for young hunters: just $30 for a junior mentored hunting license (ages 12 through 17); $20 for a junior mentored deer tag; and $38 for a junior mentored elk tag. Someone who may want to share the trip but not the hunt can enjoy a wide range of activities from fishing for bright fall steelhead to lounging in one of Idaho’s world-class resorts.
With all the publicity about wolves in Idaho, some have wondered what is happening to our famous elk herds. Truth is, in two of our 29 elk zones, wolves have been shown to contribute to declines in elk numbers and our Fish and Game Commission is acting aggressively to address those problem areas. In other elk zones, numbers are holding up or actually increasing. And this fall Idaho will likely be able to offer you a wolf tag for the possibility of a mixed bag hunt.
To apply for a controlled big game hunt with some of Idaho’s highest hunter success rates, you need to move quickly. The application period closes June 5. But Idaho remains one of the few states to offer over-the-counter elk, deer, bear and (likely) wolf tags. And don’t be surprised if you find a trophy animal in these general hunts – Idaho’s uniquely diverse and remote landscape ensures a treasure could be found anywhere.
Many hunters appreciate helping to fund Idaho’s Access Yes! Program by taking part in our Super Hunt drawings. (See accompanying brochure.) Super Hunt winners can hunt statewide in any open hunt – general or controlled. Funds raised through the Super Hunt drawings are used to open access to and through private land. Deadlines for these drawings are looming so don’t wait.
To look for statistics, hunting areas and fees go to fishandgame.idaho.gov and use the Hunt Planner. Licenses and tags are available through any Idaho Fish and Game office and at more than 300 private vendors. (No service fee.)
To help us respond to your concerns and needs, please take a few minutes to answer the short survey enclosed.
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(NOTE: The following letter reportedly sent to IDFG Communications Chief Mike Keckler by a former Idaho nonresident elk hunter is one of several forwarded to us. – ED)
Mike,
Thanks for your interest in my hunting habits. I appreciate, and share, your concern for the wildlife and economy of Idaho.
I must let you know from the outset that I am an avid fan of the Idaho Wilderness. I have been a licensed hunter in your state for over 20 years, with few exceptions. The exceptions were due to family health matters, or military deployments.
I last hunted in your state in 2007, for deer, elk, and bear. During that hunt, which was in Big Game Unit 27, I noticed a vastly different environment from previous years. There was a significant fire in the area that I had traditionally hunted, which eliminated a large majority of the cover that elk require. Armed with the knowledge that there would be no elk in that particular area due to the fire, I opted for another area within the unit, which I was somewhat familiar with. After a full day of pre-season scouting, I had not seen a single fresh elk track. However, I had observed several elk carcasses, ripped apart, as well as a ton of wolf tracks, and wolf scat,
On the second day of my hunt, just after a light snow, I hiked several miles along a U.S. Forest Service trail. During my hike, I encountered no fresh deer or elk tracks. Instead, I encountered the non-stop trail of a wolf.
During my 4 day hunt, I never saw, or heard, an elk. I met many hunters during my stay, none of whom had seen an elk. During one of the hunter-to-hunter conversations, I was informed that the number of elk killed in Colorado each year is greater than the entire elk herd in Idaho. This was news to me, and was a catalyst for change.
After the hunt, I made contact with a group of Idahoans that is highlighting the damage that the wolves are doing on the big game population there. The pictures, which I am sure were authentic, as well as their stories of wolves killing multiple animals in deep snow were shocking. These stories and images taken near Stanley, Idaho, were enough to answer all the questions I had about why there were very few elk in Unit 27.
As you can see, from my letter, I have made some hard decisions about hunting elk in Idaho. Although I hated to admit it, it appeared that elk hunting in Unit 27 was a waste of time. I understand from your letter that the state is taking some measures to control the wolf problem in some areas. I expect these efforts to be met with opposition from environmentalists, and ultimately fail. In any case, the effort to control wolves in Idaho is too little, too late for my hunting party (from 5 to10 hunters total, depending upon the year).
I opted for SW Colorado last season, and for future elk hunts. I am sure that I speak for the remainder of my entire hunting party with regard to future elk hunts in Idaho. Thanks for your interest in my elk hunting preferences. I hope that the information I have provided will be of use to those who make decisions regarding the protection of wolves in Idaho.
Regards,
(Name and address on file)
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(NOTE: I hope that at least some of the Idaho F&G Commissioners have already read the above letter from an ex Idaho elk hunter. I published it to remind them that despite their rhetoric the Commissioners have done nothing to protect Idaho’s dwindling big game herds from excessive wolf predation and cannot hope to lure repeat hunters with flowery letters that don’t tell the whole truth.
I could have published some of the angry emails we received from knowledgeable residents who asked how the Fish and Game Director could tell the legislature that wolves were causing an annual 15% decline in deer and elk populations – yet approve sending a letter soliciting money from elk hunters by implying that everything is rosy in the vast majority of elk zones.
The letter didn’t bother to mention that they are not radio-collaring any elk in 18 of the 29 elk zones and don’t have a clue how many cows and calves are being killed by wolves in most zones. Nor did it mention that hunter numbers have been capped in several of the 18 zones because of low cow and calf survival.
And the letter also neglected to mention that in five of the 11 zones where elk are radio-collared, wolves and cougar – not hunters – are killing most of the collared elk that die. Finally, it failed to mention that, since the study began, only six of the 11 zones have achieved the 85% survival of radio-collared cow elk that is considered normal. – ED)
