Here is the latest Idaho wolf update from Timm Kaminski, Idaho Gray Wolf Project Leader, Nez Perce Tribal Wolf Recovery Team. I have distilled his report so that it fits into my earlier Idaho updates web pages.
The interpretations and opinions expressed are my own, not those of the wolf team.
The tracking flights for these data were made January 29-30.
North of the Salmon River
The Selway pack wolves (B-5-M and B-10-F and two pups from 1996, now almost two years old) were located in Big Mallard Creek in or near the northwest boundary of the Frank Church Wilderness a mile north of Cook Ranch which is on the main Salmon River. This is ungulate winter range.
The Kelly Creek Pack was located in Idaho in Little Moose Creek with the pups. The wolf report only mentions B15F, possibly because she is paired with the only proven native wolf in the experimental area of Idaho.
The Running Creek Pair, wolf B-11-F and wolf B-7-M, were located approximately 3 miles south of U.S. Highway 12 in an unnamed drainage 1 mile southwest of Lolo Peak. This is inside Montana on the Bitterroot National Forest.
South of the Salmon River
Payette National Forest-
The Chamberlain Basin pack including adults wolf B-16-F, Wolf B-9-M, and 1996 and 1997 pups, were located near some wintering moose in the vicinity of the Root Ranch in Whimstick Creek.
Wolf B-33-M was also located in Whimstick Creek.
Wolf B-22-F and her associate were located in Marble Creek, one mile west of the Mitchell Ranch. This is in their usual range. Note: is this "associate," a native wolf? These two wolves are sometimes called "the Monumental Creek pair." Marble Creek isn't far from Monumental Creek.
Boise National Forest-
Bear Valley Pack.
Wolves B-30-F, B-28-M and wolf B-19-M were located in their usual range in Mosquito Creek.Landmark Pack
Wolves B-06-F, Wolf B-08-M, and pups were located at an elk kill in Sulphur Creek near its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. This is their usual range.Salmon-Challis National Forest
The Jureano Mountain pack (called the "Town Pack" in Salmon), wolves B-25-F and B-32-M and pups were located on an elk kill in Moccasin Creek. This is in their usual range.
Wolf B24F continues to live off deer in the bottoms along the Salmon River.
Moyer Basin Pack
Wolves B-29-M and B-37-F and their pups were located in Moyer Creek, deep in the Salmon River Mountains.Long time pair, wolf B-35-F and wolf B-18-M were located in the headwaters of the East Fork of Mayfield Creek. This is in the Frank Church/River of No Return Wilderness. If they have pups this spring, this new pack will probably occupy the mountains south of the Moyer Basin Pack.
The Stanley Pack
Wolf B-23-F and wolf B-27-M and pups were located near wintering elk in the East Fork of Basin Creek. The radio collar of one the pups that was captured this summer is in mortality mode back to the west in the Sawtooth Mountains. The pup may be dead or might also have slipped the collar. The pack had been located last at a high elevation in the jagged Sawtooth Range.Sawtooth National Forest-
Wolf B36F had not been located for some time due to turbulent flying conditions over the White Cloud Peaks. She was finally located in Gardiner Creek in company with an uncollared gray wolf. No. 36 is also gray.
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