Idaho's Wolves Are Back
Restoring Balance to Idaho's Wild Places
Wolves and Elk
Elk and deer populations have been relatively unaffected by wolves.
Wolves prey upon deer and elk, as do other predators, but what has been the impact on our game herds? Despite rumors that wolves are depleting elk and deer for game hunting, data from Idaho Department of Fish and Game shows that as the wolf population has steadily increased since 2003, so has the hunter harvest success rate. According to IDFG statistics, hunter harvest numbers for elk go up and down from year to year, but the overall success rate has remained relatively consistent since before wolves were reintroduced.
For example, data shows that in 2006, the most recent year for which we have detailed statistics, hunters harvested nearly 51,694 deer, which is above the 10-year average by about 6,000 animals; while elk hunters brought home 20,041 animals, which is about 1,200 more than the 10-year average. This reinforces the fact that “big game seasons are typically affected by two major things: game populations and weather.” [Source 1]
Most importantly, IDFG statistics verify that elk and deer populations are at ecologically sustainable numbers, and wolves account for less than 10 percent of all elk and deer deaths in Idaho.[Source 2]
Elk mortality factors included:
- hunter harvest: 52%
- mountain lion depredation: 30%
- wolf depredation: 7%
- malnutrition: 7%
- unknown depredation: 4%
Deer mortality resulted from:
- mountain lion depredation: 32%
- hunter harvest: 18%
- accidents: 14%
- unknown causes: 14%
- wolves: 9%
- roadkill: 9%
- malnutrition: 4%
In addition, deer numbers are limited in the region by habitat condition and weather, both of which can significantly impact deer populations.” [Source 3]
Sources
(1) There's plenty of game out there this season — you just need to find it. Roger Phillips, Idaho Statesman 08/30/07. Big game outlook: Expect stable deer and elk populations this year. Roger Phillips, Idaho Statesman 10/04/07
(2) Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Technical report
(3) Lukens, Jim. "Idaho, eleven years with wolves: what we've learned." News release, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, April 25, 2006.