lawman29
Gold $$ Contributor
A thread on wolves in Colorado has generated a lot of discussion including elk populations etc.
Re-introduction of Wolves:
NW Montana already had documented breeding pairs (i.e. packs) - those wolves were listed as a threatened species under the ESA. Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks and the US Fish & Wildlife Service were conducting research on these wolves and providing a lot of public out reach (included identification to try to prevent mistaken identity, rewards for den sites, etc.).
In 1995 & 1996 wolves were re-introduced into Idaho and Wyoming. The source of the wolves was Canada, the individual wolves were processed (tissues samples, vaccination, radio collared and pit tags). The wolves re-introduced in Idaho it was a hard release (after processing and transport immediate release into the wild). In Wyoming it was a soft release (wolves placed in holding pens in YNP for a short period of time and then released). The wolves re-introduced were designated as an experimental population to allow for more flexibility in management than the wolves in NW Montana.
Elk Populations
Montana
1995 the elk population was estimated at 110k
2023 the elk population was estimated at 143k The MTFWP objective is 92k-151k.
The Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd has been a source of controversy for decades. The size of the herd ranged from a low of approximately 5,000 in 1968 to a high of around 18k in 1995. The current estimate is around 7-8k. From 1938-1968 YNP conducted cull hunts some with public hunters, some with rangers (estimated ~ 70k elk killed). The winter of 61-62 YNP rangers killed somewhere between 4,300 - 5000 elk. This generated a lot interest and in 1968 cull hunts ended in YNP, as well as artificial feeding (sort of coincides with the closing of the dumps). Beginning in about 1976 MTFWP began conducting late season hunts in the Gardiner area due to conflicts with private land (bison are also part of this equation), these hunts continued to approximately 2010. The hunts on average removed 26% of the adult female elk herd.
The big issue in Montana isn't wolves, but rather conflicts with ranchers over elk.
Wyoming
1980 the elk population was estimated at 65k
2023 the elk population was estimated at 109k
1995 elk harvest was estimated at 18k
2023 elk harvest was estimated at 29k (cow elk was 13k of this total). There are 34 herd units, 12 units are over objective, 17 are at objective levels and 5 are below objective, in addition elk damage claims have increased 42%.
The Jackson herd is a source of controversy. It has a herd objective of 11k. In 1912 the National Elk was created (with an objective of 5k elk in winter which is exceeded regularly by 1.5-2k...), in addition WYGF has 22 state feed grounds, some on National Forest Service lands. The Brucellosis infection rate on feed grounds is somewhere around 30%. Of even more concern is CWD which has been documented in elk that use the feed grounds. They are in a catch 22 dilemma...
However, like Montana the conflict between ranchers and increasing elk populations is at an all time high (some herds are 3-4 times over objectives). Several bills were being considered this past session that ultimately didn't pass. WYGF pays damage claims to ranchers for livestock losses to trophy game predation (Bears, Lions and Wolves in the trophy game area) and irrigated crops. This summer regulations were promulgated to also compensate landowners for forage loss on non-irrigated private lands. These damage claims are paid out from hunting and fishing licenses fees collected.
Re-introduction of Wolves:
NW Montana already had documented breeding pairs (i.e. packs) - those wolves were listed as a threatened species under the ESA. Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks and the US Fish & Wildlife Service were conducting research on these wolves and providing a lot of public out reach (included identification to try to prevent mistaken identity, rewards for den sites, etc.).
In 1995 & 1996 wolves were re-introduced into Idaho and Wyoming. The source of the wolves was Canada, the individual wolves were processed (tissues samples, vaccination, radio collared and pit tags). The wolves re-introduced in Idaho it was a hard release (after processing and transport immediate release into the wild). In Wyoming it was a soft release (wolves placed in holding pens in YNP for a short period of time and then released). The wolves re-introduced were designated as an experimental population to allow for more flexibility in management than the wolves in NW Montana.
Elk Populations
Montana
1995 the elk population was estimated at 110k
2023 the elk population was estimated at 143k The MTFWP objective is 92k-151k.
The Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd has been a source of controversy for decades. The size of the herd ranged from a low of approximately 5,000 in 1968 to a high of around 18k in 1995. The current estimate is around 7-8k. From 1938-1968 YNP conducted cull hunts some with public hunters, some with rangers (estimated ~ 70k elk killed). The winter of 61-62 YNP rangers killed somewhere between 4,300 - 5000 elk. This generated a lot interest and in 1968 cull hunts ended in YNP, as well as artificial feeding (sort of coincides with the closing of the dumps). Beginning in about 1976 MTFWP began conducting late season hunts in the Gardiner area due to conflicts with private land (bison are also part of this equation), these hunts continued to approximately 2010. The hunts on average removed 26% of the adult female elk herd.
The big issue in Montana isn't wolves, but rather conflicts with ranchers over elk.
Wyoming
1980 the elk population was estimated at 65k
2023 the elk population was estimated at 109k
1995 elk harvest was estimated at 18k
2023 elk harvest was estimated at 29k (cow elk was 13k of this total). There are 34 herd units, 12 units are over objective, 17 are at objective levels and 5 are below objective, in addition elk damage claims have increased 42%.
The Jackson herd is a source of controversy. It has a herd objective of 11k. In 1912 the National Elk was created (with an objective of 5k elk in winter which is exceeded regularly by 1.5-2k...), in addition WYGF has 22 state feed grounds, some on National Forest Service lands. The Brucellosis infection rate on feed grounds is somewhere around 30%. Of even more concern is CWD which has been documented in elk that use the feed grounds. They are in a catch 22 dilemma...
However, like Montana the conflict between ranchers and increasing elk populations is at an all time high (some herds are 3-4 times over objectives). Several bills were being considered this past session that ultimately didn't pass. WYGF pays damage claims to ranchers for livestock losses to trophy game predation (Bears, Lions and Wolves in the trophy game area) and irrigated crops. This summer regulations were promulgated to also compensate landowners for forage loss on non-irrigated private lands. These damage claims are paid out from hunting and fishing licenses fees collected.
