Its been less than a week since wolves have been removed from the endangered species list. And, already there have been two wolves shot and killed.
The incident happened just west of Ashton, Channel 3 Eyewitness News has been looking into this story.
We tried to get more information on this story earlier today, we wanted to know some of the basics, who, what, where at and why, this is all that fish and game told us.
Steve Schmidt, Regional Supervisor, Upper Snake Region of Idaho Department of Fish and Game: "Yesterday morning one of our officers received notification from a neighbor that had killed 2 wolves west of Ashton, Id. So our investigation is really just kind of beginning here and we don't have a lot to report at this time."
Rick: "Can we get the name of the man?"
Steve: "We're not releasing the name of the shooter at this time."
Rick: "And the exact location."
Steve: "The location is west of Ashton, a few miles."
I was able to confirm that the two wolves were seen near the shooter's property and about 20 of his horses yesterday morning.
According to the new rules and the frequently asked questions fish and game gave me, you can kill a wolf if it attacks your livestock..And you don't need a permit, but you do need to report the killing within 3 days. Anti wolf activists call this a vigilante killing.
"I think its just the beginning to what I'm referring to as the war in the west," says Rex Rammell, Anti-Wolf Coalition.
These activists and other environmentalists are trying to get rid of wolves in Idaho, they say it's a problem and they're filing suit over it.
"Basically, what they'll do is tie everything up in court for years," says Rammell.
Fish and Game did tell me once they've completed their investigation, the findings will be made public.
You can go to the Fish and Game website at
Fish and GameBelow is the list of FAQ from Fish and Game:
Questions and answers for livestock owners protecting their animals from wolves, black bears and mountain lions.
Q: What does Idaho law say about livestock owners protecting their livestock?
A: Idaho Code 36-1107(b and c) – The law states: b) Control of Depredation of Black Bear, Mountain Lion, and Predators. Black bear, mountain lion, and predators may be disposed of by livestock owners, their employees, agents and animal damage control personnel when same are molesting or attacking livestock and it shall not be necessary to obtain any permit from the department. Mountain lion so taken shall be reported to the director within ten (10) days of being taken. Livestock owners may take steps they deem necessary to protect their livestock.
(c) Control of Depredation of Wolves. Wolves may be disposed of by livestock or domestic animal owners, their employees, agents and animal damage control personnel when the same are molesting or attacking livestock or domestic animals and it shall not be necessary to obtain any permit from the department. Wolves so taken shall be reported to the director within seventy-two (72) hours, with additional reasonable time allowed if access to the site where taken is limited. Wolves so taken shall remain the property of the state. Livestock and domestic animal owners may take all nonlethal steps they deem necessary to protect their property. A permit must be obtained from the director to control wolves not molesting or attacking livestock or domestic animals. Control is also permitted by owners, their employees and agents pursuant to the Idaho department of fish and game harvest rules.
Q: If I find livestock I believe was attacked or killed by wolves, bears, or mountain lions, what should I do?
A: If you believe your livestock or pets have been killed by a wolf, bear, or mountain lion you should attempt to protect the evidence by placing a tarp over the carcass, take photographs of the carcass and the immediate area, tracks, etc., limit disturbance of the site, and immediately call either U.S.D.A. Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297; or call your local Idaho Fish and Game office at the numbers below. If the carcass is verified by Wildlife Services to have been killed by a wolf, bear, or mountain lion it may be possible to receive reimbursement for the loss. It is important to contact officials immediately when either livestock or a wolf has been killed to expedite the process and to maximize evidence associated with the investigations.
Q: When I see a wolf, lion, or black bear on my property what can I do?
A: “Molesting" shall mean the actions of a wolf, bear or lion that are annoying, disturbing or persecuting, especially with hostile intent or injurious effect, or chasing, driving, flushing, worrying, following after or on the trail of, or stalking or lying in wait for, livestock or domestic animals. If a wolf, bear or lion is merely in the general area and not molesting your animals, it can not be killed under this law. If the wolf, bear, or lion is merely feeding on a carcass but has not been seen attacking or molesting, it can not be killed; that animal may have died from other causes. If you are concerned about your livestock, you should contact Fish and Game or Wildlife Services. The Department will help you monitor the situation and may be able to assist in preventing a potential problem.
Q: Will I get a ticket if I shoot a wolf, lion or black bear that is molesting my dog or horse?
A: The Idaho Department of Fish and Game believes that a person should be able to protect their private property including all domestic animals. Protecting your animals is allowed, but the Department is also obligated to assure the killing was legitimate. Everything you can do to help demonstrate what happened is in your best interest, including protecting the site and reporting the incident in a timely fashion to the department.
Q: If I shoot a wolf, lion, or black bear to protect my animals, what do I have to do?
A: If you kill a wolf or a mountain lion, you are required to report it to the Department of Fish and Game. In order to preserve the carcass and assure that the animal was taken legally, the kill should be reported as soon as reasonably possible. Under this law, killing a wolf requires reporting within 72 hours, with additional reasonable time allowed if access to the site where taken is limited. Killing a mountain lion requires reporting within 10 days. However, to assure the animal was taken legally, it is in your best interest to preserve the site and report the killing of the animal as soon as possible, including bears. Additionally, a wolf, bear or a lion may be killed by a tag holder during the open season and must be reported to IDFG within 24 hours for wolves, and within 10 days for bears and lions.
Q: If the wolf, lion, or black bear has killed my livestock or caused a safety problem or property damage, but it is not caught molesting or attacking, can I still kill it?
A: If a wolf, black bear or mountain lion has recently killed or injured your legally present livestock or domestic animals, or has caused real or significant property damage, and/or shows a continued threat to property or human safety you may request a “kill” permit from the Director. You should contact the Department if you are having problems with wildlife and the Department representative will review alternatives including non lethal techniques to reduce or eliminate potential conflicts. Hunting, including the use of depredation hunts will be considered a preferred alternative.
Q: Can I keep the wolf, lion or bear I killed to protect my livestock?
A: No. Unless it was legally taken during hunting season and you have legally tagged the animal it remains the property of the State of Idaho. You may however, be able to purchase it at the Department of Fish and Game’s annual fur and antler auction depending on the State’s disposition of the carcass.
Q: What about other predators?
A: Coyotes, skunks, weasels, and jackrabbits are legally defined as predators. They may be taken year-round by any licensed hunter. Landowners, or their agents are not required to have a license to kill these predators if they are molesting domestic animals. Grizzly bears, eagles, hawks, and owls are protected by federal law and may not be killed. Grizzly bears in the Yellowstone delisted area are no longer protected under federal law, but are protected under state law and currently there is no open season on them. Grizzly bears may be killed in self-defense. Grizzly bears may not be killed to protect livestock. You should contact the Department if you are having grizzly bear problems.
Help us manage wolves!
More information and wolf reporting forms are available at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/ . If you believe you have a wolf depredation contact Wildlife Services at: 1-866-487-3297. For a wolf mortality, or other related incident requiring immediate attention, contact your local IDFG Office at:
Headquarters Boise .......... 208-334-3700
Coeur d’Alene Region ......... 208-769-1414
Lewiston Region ............... 208-799-5010
Nampa Region ................. 208-465-8465
McCall Subregion .............. 208-634-8137
Jerome Region ................. 208-324-4350
Pocatello Region ............... 208-232-4703
Idaho Falls Region ............. 208-525-7290
Salmon Region ................. 208-756-2271
For sightings or more information on wolves in the Lewiston or McCall area, you may
also contact the Nez Perce tribe at 208-634-1061.
