Wyoming Gray Wolf Recovery Status Report
Status of Gray Wolf Management in Wyoming and the NRM
WYOMING WOLF REPORT – November 2011
Web Address – USFWS reports (past weekly and annual reports) can be viewed at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . All weekly and annual reports are government property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.
2010 Annual Report
The 2010 Interagency Annual Wolf (Canis lupus) Report for the NRM DPS will be available March 10, 2011 on-line at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . The annual wolf report is composed of five Sections: 1) Montana; 2) Wyoming; 3) Idaho; 4) USFWS overview of dispersal, funding, litigation, and relevant publications; and 5) Tables and Figures of wolf population statistics and wolf depredations.
Information about wolves in other NRM states
Idaho at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/wolves/.
Montana at: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/wolf/default.html.
Oregon at: www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves
Washington at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/
Proposed Delisting in Wyoming
On 10/17/11, a 5-member panel of scientists met in Denver to peer review the USFWS proposed delisting rule and the WGFD Wolf Management Plan. Once completed in December, this assessment will be posted online at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/.
The Service is seeking scientific information and comments from the public about the proposal including the post-delisting monitoring and management framework. Written comments regarding the proposal may be submitted by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS–R6–ES–2011–0039]. U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. [FWS–R6–ES–2011–0039]; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. Comments must be received within 100 days, on or before January 13, 2012. The Service will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means the agency will post any personal information provided through the process. The Service is not able to accept email or fax comments. All comments and information, including on the assessment, received during the comment period will be considered during the preparation of a final determination. Accordingly, the final decision may differ from this proposal.
For further information, contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region Office, Ecological Services Division, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80228; telephone 303–236–7400. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339.
The Service held a public hearing at the Robert A. Peck Arts Center, Central Wyoming College in Riverton, WY from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. on November 15, 2011, to give all interested persons the opportunity to submit comments on the proposal. Approximately 50 people attended and 10 people gave comments on the rule. An informal question and answer meeting was held from 4:30 – 6:00.
MONITORING
Wyoming (outside YNP)
Preliminary estimates show > 32 packs, including > 20 breeding pairs in Wyoming (outside YNP) in 2011(Figure 1). Final population counts and pack composition will be estimated on 31 December and will be published in our 2011 Annual Report.
Figure 1. Minimum number of wolf packs and breeding pairs in WY (outside YNP) from 1999-2011. Estimates for 2011 are preliminary as of 11/28/11.
Figure 2. Wolf population growth in WY: 2000 - 2010.
Table 1. Total wolf mortality in Wyoming (outside YNP) from 2003-2011.
| Cause of Mortality | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Total |
| Depredation Control | 18 | 29 | 41 | 44 | 63 | 46 | 31 | 40 | 34 | 346 |
| Natural | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| Under Investigation | 5 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 42 |
| Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 28 |
| Other | 0 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 37 |
| Total | 27 | 36 | 51 | 59 | 75 | 79 | 40 | 58 | 46 | 471 |
LIVESTOCK CONFLICTS and DEPREDATION CONTROL
MONTANA: On 11/27/11, a landowner shot a black radiocollared wolf on private property near Hammond, MT. The young male wolf killed 2 lambs and was shot in the lambing pasture. The wolf was originally collared in 2010 by the USFWS near Jackson, WY and dispersed approximately 300 straight-line miles. Typical dispersal distances in the NRM average 60 miles for males and females, however dispersals over 500 miles have been recorded.
WYOMING: As of November 28, 2011, wolves killed > 68 livestock (38 cattle and 30 sheep) in Wyoming (Table 2). Two packs [Green River (15 cattle) and Dog Creek (17 sheep) and 1 wolf in the Big Horn Mountains (10 sheep) were responsible for 42 depredations (62% of the total number of depredations). Sixteen packs (50% of WY packs in 2011) were involved in > 1 depredation; 9 packs (28%) were involved in > 2 depredations; and 5 packs (16%) were involved in > 3 depredations in 2011.
Table 2: Confirmed livestock depredations and control actions in Wyoming from 2003 through October 21, 2011.
Year |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Total |
Wyoming |
||||||||||
Cattle |
34 |
75 |
54 |
123 |
55 |
41 |
20 |
26 |
38 |
466 |
Sheep |
7 |
18 |
27 |
38 |
16 |
26 |
195 |
33 |
30 |
390 |
Other |
2 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0* |
15 |
Dogs |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0* |
13 |
Wolves killed |
18 |
29 |
41 |
44 |
63 |
46 |
31 |
40 |
34 |
346 |
* A horse broke its leg and had to be euthanized after being chased by wolves in a pasture on private property. Six additional horses and 1 dog were injured in 2011.
Table 3. Confirmed livestock depredations and control actions in Montana (Jan 2003-Oct 26, 2011) and Idaho (Jan 2003-Oct 31, 2011). |
||||||||||
Year |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Total |
Montana |
||||||||||
Cattle |
24 |
36 |
23 |
32 |
75 |
77 |
97 |
87 |
81 |
532 |
Sheep |
86 |
91 |
33 |
4 |
27 |
111 |
202 |
84 |
12 |
650 |
Other |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
6 |
11 |
1 |
55 |
Dogs |
1 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
27 |
Wolves killed |
34 |
40 |
35 |
53 |
73 |
110 |
145 |
141 |
57 |
688 |
Idaho |
||||||||||
Cattle |
7 |
19 |
29 |
41 |
57 |
104 |
76 |
75 |
68 |
476 |
Sheep |
130 |
176 |
166 |
237 |
211 |
215 |
295 |
148 |
83 |
1,661 |
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
Dogs |
3 |
4 |
12 |
4 |
10 |
14 |
14 |
0 |
6 |
67 |
Wolves killed |
7 |
17 |
27 |
42 |
50 |
108 |
93 |
80 |
62 |
486 |
FURTHER INFORMATION
To request an investigation of livestock injured or killed by wolves, please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services at (307)261-5336.
For additional information, please contact:
Mike Jimenez at (307)330-5631 or (307)733-7096 or mike_jimenez@fws.gov
Scott Becker (Cody) (307)527-8916 or (307)699-3411 or scott_becker@fws.gov
