Documentation of new Idaho wolf packs this year has continued with the discovery of a new pack north of the Clearwater River on the breaks above Kamiah (cam ee EYE), above and to the northeast of this river town.Named the Eldorado Pack, there have been only brief sightings in this brushy, second growth timber country, but howling indicates a pack of 2-4 adults and 2 pups. The pack lives mostly on the national forest (public land). It's not clear if they will winter in the North Fork of the Clearwater (lots of mule deer and elk) or the main fork of the Clearwater (lots of whitetail deer and elk). Nez Perce Tribal biologist Jason Husseman verified the presence of the Eldorado Pack.
The pack has a couple neighbor packs. About 20 miles east by northeast is the long-standing Kelly Creek Pack, which has in the last year been mostly in the Weitas Creek drainage. 2002 ended was an estimate of at least 3 adults and 6 pups in the Kelly Creek Pack.
There is also another new pack, the Eagle Creek Pack, about 20 miles to the east of Kamiah on the south side of the Lochsa River in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. They inhabit the Boulder Creek/Fish Lake/Eagle Mountain area. One member of the pack has been radio-collared and the den site discovered, but the exact number of wolves in this scenic part of the Selway Crags is not known.
The wolf population growth in Idaho this year has been a surprise. Wolf numbers last year looked liked the growth was tapering off, but so far this year 36 packs1 have been identified. Last year 19 packs were identified. From these 36 packs, 26 litters of pups and at present 25 breeding pairs of wolves. In contrast the wolf population in Montana has actually fallen, the number of wolves in Yellowstone Park is now stable, and the population in Wyoming (including most of YNP) is slowed way down.
With the excellent dispersion of wolves in Idaho this year, I think there is a good chance they will soon move in force to eastern Washington and Oregon. I have little doubt there are already few wolves in Oregon and have been for several years.
1 A "pack" is here defined as 2 or more wolves currently traveling together which produced pups this year or have done so in the past (meaning perhaps not this year).
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