Outfitter: Four North Idaho wolves killed

LEWISTON (AP) - Two wolves were killed in North Idaho and two others were likely killed in the last month as part of a state plan to reduce wolf populations to protect elk in the Lolo Wildlife Management Zone, an outfitter says.

Joseph Peterson of the Kamiah-based Flying B Ranch said the wolves were killed during a special hunt authorized by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game that ended Wednesday.

Peterson said two wolves were turned into Fish and Game while the carcasses of two other wolves that were shot could not be recovered.

"We had two heads turned in to the region (Idaho Department of Fish and Game office in Lewiston) and drew blood on a couple more," Peterson told the Lewiston Tribune. "We hit one really well but it crossed Weitas Creek and we lost it. The other one was off of Coolwater Ridge and we weren't able to follow it up very well."

The state agency in May authorized four backcountry outfitters in the region to kill five wolves each for a total of 20 by the end of June as part of a plan to protect the recovery of elk herds in the region.

None of the other outfitters has reported any kills during the wolf-control action that coincided with the spring black bear hunting season.

State officials were disappointed only four wolves were killed.

"It was a control measure," said Dave Cadwallader, supervisor of the department's Clearwater Region at Lewiston. "It wasn't specific just to bear-baiting, but that was kind of the timing, and we thought it might be the vehicle that would enhance that opportunity, but it just didn't turn out that way."

The agency said the reduction in wolf numbers is necessary to protect the recovery of elk herds in the region and falls in line with the agency's wolf management plan and the predators management plan for the Lolo zone.

The agency has said the Elk numbers in the Lolo Zone are below the department's population objectives.

Inga Cabral of B Bar C Outfitters said guides helped hunters kill 55 bears during the season but didn't have much time to hunt wolves. She suggested the wolf-control hunt be extended.

"Why not let the guides keep trying?" she said. "There is nothing wrong with extending it if they haven't met the quota."

But Cadwallader said that won't happen because the state is waiting for a ruling from a federal judge who is deciding if wolves in Idaho and Montana were properly removed from federal protection last year.

Information from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com