Idahos elk plan approved and wolves and other carnivores suffer because of Idaho Fish and Games bottom line. It is important to remember that IDs elk population has been climbing for at least the past three years and is around only 10% below all time highs, within natural expected range. But IDFG first and foremost caters to hunters, not to non-consumptive wildlife enthusiasts, not to (non-elk) wildlife. From the article: Fish and Game Approves New Elk Plan Despite Wolf Concerns Despite getting an earful at a marathon public hearing the night before, Idaho Fish and Game commissioners said little Thursday before unanimously approving a statewide elk management plan... The plan monitors elk habitat changes, the damage that growing elk populations have on crops and fences, and seeks to more aggressively target predators such as bears, mountain lions and, most notably, wolves... In 2013 was Idaho’s first year of increased elk tag sales since 2008. Last year, 86,130 tags were purchased, compared with 80,577 in 2012 — the lowest year of sales since the economy crashed... For the last plan update, managers could only guess how wolf reintroduction would influence elk numbers. Although separate plans, the elk and predator management plans are linked in many ways. Boudreau said the new elk plan more aggressively targets predators where appropriate. In some areas, elk numbers have dropped significantly because of wolves’ presence. But elk decline in other areas may be the result of overharvesting or other factors. At a recent commission meeting in Jerome, many Magic Valley hunters said the reintroduction of wolves is the biggest threat to elk herds where they hunt. Hunters across the state overwhelmingly backed more aggressive wolf control measures, say written comments submitted as the plan was being drafted. In Boise on Wednesday night, many biologists, advocates and wildlife enthusiasts questioned the science and ethics behind Fish and Game’s predator management. Some said the state isn’t managing the range for a balanced ecosystem, but rather to turn it into an “elk farm.“ Elk hunters’ success rate is 22 percent. Those rates were much higher — around 32 percent — in the early 1990s before wolves arrived, Boudreau said. Entire article: magicvalley/lifestyles/recreation/fish-and-game-approves-new-elk-plan-despite-wolf-concerns/article_15b0583e-00f2-553a-976f-632671bb9e2b.html
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 23:33:48 +0000
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