Please contact Josh Adler, Director of Communications, International Wildlife Coexistence Network, Josh@wildlifecoexistence.org
For Immediate Release: Idaho Wolf Control Board Cancels Aerial Gunning Contractor Proposals
BOISE, Idaho — On Thursday, December 14, the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board canceled all the proposals it had approved on October 26, 2023, admitting “they had made the assumption that those proposals had been developed in coordination with the producers but in follow up with those producers, it was clear that was not the case.”
“Today marks a triumphant moment in Idaho’s ongoing battle for wolf conservation, as the Idaho Wolf Control Board has decided to cancel contracts to aerial gun wolf packs they had approved in a previous meeting,“ stated Suzanne Asha Stone, Director of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network, the group that had first exposed the Board’s mistakes.“ While this development is a welcome relief for wolves in the Wood River Wolf Project area, where aerial gunning with a helicopter was initially sanctioned, it is essential to acknowledge that aggressive and brutal wolf reduction efforts including trapping, snaring, and killing pups in dens for bounties will persist in other parts of the state.”
The Idaho Wolf Control Board meets on December 14, 2023, with a full audience. Credit: International Wildlife Coexistence Network
The Aerial Gunning Decision: In recent weeks, the Idaho Wolf Control Board faced intense scrutiny for their decision to approve spending more than $140,000 to hire a private contractor to use aerial gunning and other methods, such as snares that cause collateral harm to other wildlife or even pets, to kill wolves on federal lands and private property across much of the state’s wolf range. The controversial move raised concerns among conservationists and prompted an urgent petition to the USDA Forest Service to prevent the scheduled aerial gunning, which was set to begin on November 20th.
A Timely Intervention: The International Wildlife Coexistence Network (IWCN) played a pivotal role in preventing the imminent aerial gunning due to begin November 20, 2023. Without their timely intervention, the helicopter would have taken to the skies, jeopardizing the lives of wolves in the Wood River Wolf Project area in Sun Valley. This year, ranchers in the area reported no loss of sheep to the Wood River wolves despite the presence of over 24,000 sheep; making it one of the most successful years on record and the best example of wolf and livestock coexistence in the state.
IWCN’s J. Dallas Gudgell testifies against the Board’s approval of unsolicited hunting contracts and their disregard for tribal collaborative management of wolves in the state. Credit: International Wildlife Coexistence Network.
Lack of Due Diligence: Disturbingly, IWCN’s investigation surfaced revelations about the Idaho Fish and Game department’s lack of due diligence. The department failed in gathering adequate information about ranchers’ actual wolf conflict issues, if any, and neglected to vet the background of the contracted out-of-state aerial gunning company, which had committed several hunting violations according to Nevada state officials. This failure in oversight underscores the need for more thorough decision-making processes in the state’s wildlife management.
IWCN’s Role: Compounding the issue, local ranchers were unaware of the wolf-killing contract and had not given their approval to be named in the proposals. IWCN’s long standing partnership with the ranchers who are also part of the Wood River Wolf Project, a 16-year-old wolf and livestock coexistence demonstration study, not only informed them of the impending threat but also demonstrated the necessity of open communication between wildlife organizations and those directly affected by conservation decisions.
Supporters Making a Difference: Crucially, IWCN’s ability to be present at the Wolf Control Board meeting and intervene was made possible by the support of their donors and advocates. Especially inspiring was the participation of local youth advocates from Timberline High School’s TREE Club, who made clear the importance of the presence of wolves to a successful future and called for finding common ground. This victory highlights the tangible impact of the organization and its allies’ collective efforts in today’s complex arena of wolf conservation.
Timberline High School student and president of TREE Club, Sasha Truax, speaks against Idaho’s “disturbing” approach to wolf management.
Moving Forward: While celebrating this success, it is imperative to acknowledge that the battle for wolf conservation in Idaho is far from over. Disturbing developments to collar and kill entire wolf packs in the Lolo region further north in ceded Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) territory, coupled with Director Jim Fredericks’ apparent goal to reduce Idaho’s wolf population to the frail number of 500 individuals or fewer statewide, underscore the need for continued vigilance. Conservationists will continue to pursue emergency listing for wolves across the region based on Idaho’s attack on its wolf population.
A wolf from the Wood River Wolf Project area. Credit: Wood River Wolf Project/IWCN and NatureSpy
“For now, the Idaho Wolf Control Board’s decision to cancel wolf hunting contracts in the Wood River Wolf Project area is a testament to the power of focused advocacy and community-driven intervention.” Stone added, “While this marks a crucial win for the Wood River wolves, it is essential for advocates to stay engaged and informed, supporting organizations like IWCN that play a vital role in safeguarding our nation’s critical species. As the battle for wolf conservation in Idaho continues, collective efforts and an ongoing response will be instrumental in ensuring a balanced and sustainable approach to coexisting with wolves.”
