Wolf kills affect 113 Idaho livestock producers

The Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission (IRRC) has confirmed 61 head of domestic livestock have been killed by wolves so far this calendar year. Seven sheep were killed in three separate attacks in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area between July 9th and July 13th.

According to the commission, federal authorities have responded to a record 113 different sheep and cattle ranches where livestock kills were confirmed during fiscal year 2018. In total, federal officials investigated incidents on 217 properties.

This map depicts where most of Idaho’s wolf activity is located.

“We need to keep wolf numbers down to a manageable level, and that takes persistent diligence by all concerned to work on this chronic issue,” said Carey rancher and IRRC board member John Peavey. “Wolves are here to stay. But we need to keep them as wild as possible to ensure they’re eating wild game such as moose, elk and deer, like they’re supposed to do. Once they start killing livestock, they need to removed, because we know they’ll go out and kill livestock again.”

Producers say there are “chronic livestock depredation” issues in Lemhi, Custer, Valley, Idaho, and Elmore counties. They say there are at least 80 to 100 wolf packs living in Idaho and essentially occupy the entire state north of Interstate 84.

The Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board, with funds from the Idaho Legislature, supports Wildlife Services’ control work to protect ranchers from continued wolf kills.