Both Idaho and Montana have now announced weekly wolf reports. Earlier I posted Idaho’s.
Montana first reports is actually a summary of matters from March 9 to May. 2. Here is the link to the pdf file.
It appears that the place these reports will be posted is http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf/wolfWeekly2008.html
National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations, in partnership with several conservation and tourism organizations (click here to see full list ), most notably Wyoming Travel and Tourism have launched a giant “geotourism” program for the Greater Yellowstone Region (click here for the main page of the project website). The effort is intended to “celebrate and help sustain the world-class natural and cultural heritage” of the Greater Yellowstone region (click here for the press release).
The project’s centerpiece is, “a community based process will create a National Geographic ‘Geotourism MapGuide’ for the region centered on Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and including communities and private and public lands in the three partner states.” In sum, National Geographic and their partners intend to give Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho an economic shot in the arm, in the form of well-heeled tourists, many from Europe, visiting the Greater Yellowstone region. Clearly, these three states couldn’t be more deserving, right?
Wolf de-listing: A look at both sides of the issue. West Yellowstone News.
“Buffaloed” posted this information in an earlier thread, but so everyone interested can find it, here it the link to the 2007 Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2007 Interagency Annual Report.
I suppose this will be the last federal report one unless delisting is set aside. Each state might produce one each year in the future (at least I think it likely and it is certainly desirable).
The story on howlboxes had the latest map of the location of Montana wolf packs.
The Montana wolf population has been improving rapidly (my view) the last several years, with lots of areas with gaps filling in, but Idaho plans to decimate the wolf population in the upper Clearwater River area along the Idaho/Montana border could have a large effect on Montana wolf packs because many of the packs cross back and forth over the state line or are derived from Idaho wolf packs. Given a big wolf reduction effort in Idaho’s upper Clearwater, the Montana wolves would continually migrate back into the killing zone in Idaho.
This article says it may be Feb. 28, but I just heard it will be tomorrow.
Story in the Idaho Mountain Express.
I see what might appear to be two rival strategies emerging among conservation groups to deal with delisting. In fact, I think this might be a good idea even though it will leave some bruised feelings, but more about that when I learn more.
One other item, Montana set up the details of a wolf hunting season today (as expected). Reaction to the details are still coming in.
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Regarding the Mountain Express article above, I have to take issue with the reporter’s statement that the reintroduced wolf population in the 3 state area grew by “leaps and bounds” from 66 wolves to 1500.
It was 12 years. If deer, elk, jackrabbits, fox, etc. had been reintroduced into good habitat and protected, would 66 to 1500 in 12 years be considered “leaps and bounds,” “remarkable,” or any of the common terms many writers use? Wolves are short-lived species capable fast reproduction, but also quick depopulation if a pup year fails or the habitat declines.
If a long-lived species like humans, elephants, or tortoises had grown from 66 to 1500, that might be “leaps and bounds.”
Despite all the awful decisions at a general level made by the federal government and Idaho, Wyoming and Montana regarding their management of wolves after delisting, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is meeting in Helena on Feb . 20 to set the details of the hunting seasons, including wolves.
The FWP Commission could (I stress “could”) come up with a regulation that provides for a sustainable wolf population in Montana. Not a big decrease in wolf numbers.
Idaho Fish and Game commission will meet in early March to do the same.
This is based on the work of University of Montana economist John Duffield.
Wolf tourism in Yellowstone region. Wolves are bringing tourists and money to Montana.
Update: Here is Duffield’s original paper in the Jan. 2008 issue of Yellowstone Science.
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