WOLF DEPREDATION BOARD UPDATE
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Wolf Depredation Board met for their June meeting. They discussed updates of the past two (2) months from their last meeting, gave fiscal updates before the fiscal year (FY) ends in ten (10) days, and acted on contracts.
The Board started with an introduction of their newest member, John Gooding, Soda Springs; he is an Idaho native born and raised in Rupert. Mr. Gooding has worked for the past thirty-eight (38) years in Soda Springs, helping produce fertilizer, and has had various other agriculture endeavors. Andy Berchright, a 17- year-old graduating from Timberline High School, signed up for public comment; she shared that this is her 3rd time testifying in front of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). Ms. Berchright explained the state is actively using taxpayers’ dollars to take out one of Idaho’s species, and she does not want to stay in a state where they kill these species.
Jared Hedelius, Wildlife Services, gave updates to the Board. He shared that there were fifteen (15) investigations throughout eight (8) counties through April and May. Out of the investigations, they confirmed seven (7) were wolf investigations. Six (6) of them were unknown causes of death, and two (2) deaths seemed to be caused by another animal. That is three (3) less than last year’s June update. One confirmed wolf investigation involved the loss of forty-one (41) sheep; another had an eyewitness of a wolf chasing cattle. With all the confirmed investigations, there are currently seventeen (17) different control actions. During that time, they removed two (2) wolves, including the incident of sheep confirmed to be killed by wolves.
IDFG Director, Jim Fredericks, shared that if the state could achieve the population set amount for wolves for the next six (6) years, they would have to have an annual mortality rate of around 37%. This goal is a significant reduction of wolves in the state, but it’s not. He turned the time over to Katie Oelrich, IDFG Wildlife Biologist, and she gave a wolf update on the harvest season; there was a total of 421 wolves for the harvesting year. The harvest year is the same as the fiscal year, so that it will end on July 1. There was a decrease in harvest this year compared to the past years; the decrease notice was in December and January when trappers and hunters shared the difficulties in accessing areas due to the weather and snow. Wolves were removed from private land before the general season at a higher rate than public land. With the cameras they have posted on lands scattered for up to two (2) months, they are analyzing over ten (10) million pictures. Right now, the population of wolves fluctuates between 1,200-1,800 but hoping at the end of 2028 to be around 400-500.
Kelly Nielsen gave a financial overview; starting off on the general fund, of the $392,00 allocated, the Board has $146,793 remaining; however, after they pay all invoices, the remaining balance will be $8,333. The Board continued with an update on four outstanding invoices. The first was the cost of a fixed-wing for the helicopter, then supplies and materials for wildlife services. The following two invoices were for communications for wolf collaring reimbursement for the induvial kills for the harvest that occurred in reimbursement to the Foundation of Wildlife Management for March, and the second was for other materials for IDFG. A motion was moved and approved by the Board unanimously to pay these invoices.
The Board then went over the contracts moving forward. To begin the discussion Director Tewalt shared that nothing needed to be finalized currently and this time could be used to brainstorm. However, as the discussion began and members shared ideas, they finalized the new contracts. They first discussed the Wildlife Services Contract; Jared shared with the Board that their contract states they can spend up to $640,000. It was explained to the Board this was much more than they needed from the past three (3) years they have been working together. A member requested that the Board to cut down the total cost allocated for the Wildlife Services to be split into two,
$125,000 for collaring and $275,000 for other expenditures. John Gooding moved to approve $125,000 for collaring and $275,000 for other funding and materials with a total of $400,000 funding for the Wildlife Services. The motion was approved unanimously by the Board.
Next, they then discussed IDFG, who receive $200,000 from this Board, and also received $300,00 from a separate board. IDFG had $112,00 allocated by the Wolf Deprivation Board, but these funds have not been distributed due to IDFG not running out of their current funds. A motion was made to approve the IDFG contract and was approved unanimously.
The Board also had a discussion of an opportunity to have a contract for producers. This contract would be open to producers in ranging professions to help with the Wolf Depredation Board. They would have to be approved by both the IDFG and the Wildlife Services. A motion was made to approve $50,000 for producer agreements, which passed unanimously.
They ended the meeting looking forward to having a focus on producers and a grander discussion about who could apply. As they would have to be approved not just by the Board but by IDFG and Wildlife Services. The next quarterly meeting will be held on August 29, 2023, at 1 PM.