Monitoring

NEW WEB ADDRESS - The 2003 annual wolf report was posted this week. It can be accessed at westerngraywolf.fws.gov and has maps of wolf pack locations and home ranges, tables of wolf numbers and depredations, litigation and funding issues, and summaries of scientific studies.

Livestock Depredations & Management (control)

WS confirmed that wolves killed a calf near Roscoe, MT on the 9th. The producer is the neighbor to a producer that lost a calf to wolves about two weeks ago. By the description it appears to be the same wolves that have also been killing sheep about 10 miles away. A recent wolf sighting near the Red Lodge ski area indicated that there was a wolf in the area with a radio collar. WS is searching for missing radio collared wolves as well.

WS investigated a possible wolf attack on a calf near Phillipsburg Montana on the 12th. The calf had a large area of flesh bitten from it's back leg. The investigation indicated that the calf had been attacked by coyotes not wolves. A pair of coyotes were found near by and one was killed.

Research

The March Yellowstone National Park annual late winter predation study continues. Wolves on the northern range are followed from the ground and air as frequently as possible during March to locate kills and determine prey selection. Preliminary results:

Druid Pack: 12 wolves, 9 pups 3 adult, 14 kills in 30 days: 7 bulls, 2 cows, 2 calves, 2 mule deer, 1 bison

Geode pack: 6 wolves 1 pup 5 adult, 11 kills in 30 days: no breakdown available yet but prob 50% bulls

Leopold: 17 wolves, 7 pups 10 adults, 11 kills in 30 days, 7 bulls, 4 cows

In general marrow was in bad shape. We documented winter kill first time since 1997, possible effect of the drought?

Information, Education & Law Enforcement

Bangs talked to about 30 students in Missoula on the evening of the 6th at the UM student chapter of The Wildlife Society.

The 16h Annual Interagency Wolf Meeting at Chico Hot Springs was done on the 8th. This was the largest crowd since the beginning with 160 people pre-registered. There were a number of really great presentations and new attendees from other states said they learned a great deal and it was very helpful.

10j Amendment-Public Comment Period

On April 3rd, Secretary of the Interior Norton announced a proposal to give Tribes and Idaho and Montana more authority to manage wolf populations in their reservations and states, consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. "Wolf populations now far exceed their recovery goals under the Act in the northern Rocky Mountains, and Idaho and Montana have both crafted responsible wolf management plans for their states," Norton said. "Although we are unable at this time to continue with the process to delist the wolf population in the region because we do not have approved plans for all three states, we believe that it is appropriate for us to pursue as much local management for this recovered wolf population as we can." The proposed experimental population 10j amendment was published in the Federal Register.

Montana Senator Conrad Burns has scheduled two informational meetings in Montana about the 10j amendment. The meetings will be Thursday, April 15th in Livingston at the Community Room, City-County Complex, 414 E. Callendar and Friday, April 16 in Butte at the Montana Tech Auditorium. Both meetings begin at 7 pm.

Comments will be accepted for 60 days beginning March 9th. The first public hearing will take place in Helena on the 19th from 6-9 at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel, 2301 Colonial Dr., and Boise on the 20th from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm at the Grove Hotel, Evergreen Room, 245 S. Capital Blvd. Written comments should be directed to the following address: USFWS, Western Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator, 100 N. Park, #320, Helena, MT 59601 or they can be left with hearing officers at the meeting.(see westergraywolf@fws.gov for details).

Regional Wildlife Biologist (Wolf) Temporary Position

Location:	Two positions, 1 Boise/Nampa, 1 Salmon
Salary:	$16.59 an hour plus benefits
Dates Needed:	Begins May 2004, year-long, positions dependent upon federal funding
Responsibilities:	REGIONAL WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST needed to implement Idaho's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. Positions will be responsible for conducting wolf monitoring, management, information and education, outreach, assist in monitoring impacts of wolves on ungulate populations and livestock operations, writing annual reports, helping to develop management strategies, analyzing data, and other wolf management duties including some supervision. Incumbents will be responsible for implementing wolf management activities statewide and extensive traveling will be required. Close coordination with Fish and Game and other agency personnel, interaction with sportsmen and livestock interests, and working with the public will be required Although these are primarily wolf management positions, incumbents will be responsible for a variety of other duties, including conducting aerial big game surveys.
Qualifications/Skills Need:	B.S. degree in wildlife management related field minimum; M.S. degree preferred. Knowledge and experience with a variety of computer software and statistical packages, including GIS Arcview, and Microsoft Office products, preferred. Interested applicants should be familiar with wolf and other big game biology and management, and predator-prey relationships. Knowledge and experience with a variety of big game species, and trapping and handling wolves is preferred. All applicants must be willing to travel statewide for extended periods, (car-) camp, hike 1-10 miles/day with a 50 lb pack, and have excellent vision, hearing, and a valid diver's license. Horse riding and packing, and/or using a variety of motorized travel including 4-wheelers, flying in a helicopter or fixed-wing in remote locations will be required. Incumbent needs to have excellent people skills, ability to communicate well in written and oral fashion, and desire to work with the public. Housing will be available at some locations (IDFG cabins) and a vehicle and other equipment will be provided.
To Apply:	Screening process begins immediately. Please submit a resume, IDFG temporary application form, and names and telephone numbers of at least three references to Steve Nadeau, Statewide Large Carnivore Program Coordinator, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, Idaho 83707 (PH: 208-287-2752; EM: snadeau@idfg.state.id.us).
Application Deadline:	17 April 2004

Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program

Looking for 2 volunteers, starting approximately May 1, 2004 for a 6 month commitment.

Application Period:	4/1/04 - 4/15/04
Living Stipend:	$15/day, housing provided
Location:	Alpine, AZ
Major Duties:	The volunteer will perform a variety of tasks in support of the reintroduction of the Mexican gray wolf to the Apache and Gila National Forests in east-central Arizona and west-central New Mexico. Duties may include monitoring of wolf locations, movements, and activities through radio-telemetry as well as back-country travel by backpacking, horseback riding, and mule packing. Camping for extended periods of time in remote areas to monitor wolves while in acclimation pens and post release may also be involved. Collection, processing, storing, and delivery of road-killed ungulates to the wolves while in acclimation pens and as supplementary food post release. May assist biologists with various wolf management and research activities such as capture and radio collaring of wolves, and monitoring of den and rendezvous site activity. Assists project biologists with distributing current wolf information to campers, hunters, and other persons using the recovery area. Volunteer will also assist project biologists with various office tasks such as data entry and equipment maintenance.
Qualifications:	The applicant should be in excellent physical health. He/she must be able to work independently and with a team, often in remote areas under extreme environmental conditions. Applicants with or working towards a Bachelors degree in wildlife biology, experience with back-country map and compass use, remote back-country hiking and camping, radio telemetry, 4WD vehicles, and good communication skills are preferred.
To Apply:	E-mail, FAX, or mail a resume and cover letter with 3 references as soon as possible to: Volunteer Position; Attn: Dan Stark; Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program; P.O. Box 856; Alpine, AZ 85920; FAX: 928-339-4218; dan_stark@fws.gov

The weekly wolf report can now be viewed at the Service's Region 6 web site at www.r6.fws.gov/wolf and westerngraywolf.fws.gov. This report is government public property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.

Contact: Ed Bangs (406)449-5225 or Internet - ED_BANGS@FWS.GOV

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