YNP Park wolves are down another 6 % this year, but there was a 12% increase outside the Park in ’09-
Story in the Jackson Hole News and Guide. By Cory Hatch.
There are 4 full-time packs in Jackson Hole and one part-time pack.
The year’s population results appear to be a small increase in wolves in Wyoming. Everyone should recognize that those 20% increase years in any of the 3 states are gone. There will probably be about 375 305 wolves as the official figure for Wyoming at the end of this year.
It’s good to see a recognition that well established packs are less of a threat to livestock than new packs. One should note that this is some evidence that hunting wolves at random may be counterproductive in terms of livestock losses. Of course, livestock losses to wolves are so small in the big scheme of things it probably doesn’t matter.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
Yay! Any increase is good.