Here is the latest Idaho wolf update from the Nez Perce Tribal Wolf Recovery Team. I have distilled the report so that it fits into my earlier Idaho updates web pages.
Most of these data are from tracking flights on March 2 and March 12, 1998.The interpretations and opinions expressed are my own, not those of the wolf team.
Exciting things are happening with the Idaho wolves. There have been a number of dispersals, new adult wolves joining established packs, mating, possible pairing, and one wolf has even become the leader of a native pack -- the ill-fated Boulder Pack of SW Montana now consists of B14M and now-dead Opal's two surviving wild pups.
At the end of 1997, there were eight Idaho wolf packs. Six of these packs produced pups in 1997. One of the two that had no pups in 1997 produced pups in 1996 -- the Selway Pack. In addition to these eight packs, there are five wolf pairs that may have pups in April and May 1998. One or two additional pairs may have formed as the result of dispersals. There are also known to be at least three lone males.
North of the Salmon River
The Selway pack wolves (B-5-M and B-10-F and their two pups from 1996, (now almost two years old) were located in Wilderson Creek, a headwaters tributary of the Selway River.
The Kelly Creek Pack (B15F and her native mate, plus pups) was located in the upper reaches of Fish Creek on the Lolo National Forest in Montana. The was no indication in the report where wolf B12M was still with the pack.
The Running Creek Pair, wolf B-11-F and wolf B-7-M, or "Stewart Pair" as they may have been renamed, was still near the west edge of the Bitterroot Valley, this time in Big Creek, a major canyon on the Bitterroot Front.
Wolf B20F is still paired with wolf B31M. At 135 pounds in 1996, no. 31 was the largest wolf introduced to Idaho. They were located on the Clearwater National Forest in Swamp Creek near Moose City.
South of the Salmon River
Payette National Forest-
The Chamberlain Basin pack including adults wolf B-16-F, Wolf B-9-M, and several pups were located in their usual deep wilderness stronghold, this time in McCalla Creek drainage in the Chamberlain Basin.
Wolf B33M, which had been following the Chamberlain Pack for several months, was located far to the north of the Chamberlain Pack in the West Fork of Elk Creek, west of the remote town of Elk City. It is not known whether he is accompanied by one or more uncollared dispersers from the Chamberlain Pack.
Wolf B22F and her associate, now thought to be B34M, were once again located in Monumental Creek in the Frank Church Wilderness. Will they soon become the "Monumental Pack?"
Boise National Forest-
Bear Valley Pack.
Bear Valley Pack wolves B30F, B28M and B19M have moved a bit to the northwest, and were located at the head of Sulfur Creek on the southwest edge of the Frank Church Wilderness.Landmark Pack
The Landmark Pack, whose range overlaps that of the Bear Valley Pack, in the last two week moved has southward. Wolf B6F, B8M and some pups were located in Elk Meadow in Bear Valley. As mentioned in the last report, three of their 1996-born pups appear to have dispersed.Salmon-Challis National Forest
The Jureano Mountain pack (called the "Town Pack" in Salmon), wolves B25F ("Raven"), B32M and pups, were once again located nowhere near town. There were on the west side of their territory in Panther Creek near Little Deer Creek.
Wolf B24F, which had been living in the bottoms along the main Salmon River, was again not located.
Moyer Basin Pack
Wolves B29M and B37F and their pups were deep in the mountains in Camas Creek, near the mouth of Yellowjacket Creek. This is their usual range.Long time pair, wolf B35F and wolf B18M were located in their usual range, this time in Warm Spring Creek drainage at the confluence of Mahoney Creek. Hopefully they will soon be the "Loon Creek Pack" or some similar name.
Sawtooth National Forest-
The Stanley Pack
Wolf B23F and wolf B27M and pups were located on the ridge overlooking the main Salmon River at the confluence of the Yankee Fork of the Salmon. It still has not been determined whether one of the pups is dead, or whether it slipped its radio collar. The collar is in "mortality mode" back in the Sawtooth Mountains.Wolf B36F and her companion for some time, a gray uncollared wolf, which will hopefully soon be the "White Cloud Mountains Pack," were located down on the East Fork of the Salmon River near the confluence of Bowery Creek.
Wolf B2M or Chat-Chaaht which had been relocated after 1 1/2 years (above Sun Valley, Idaho) was not located on the last tracking flights.
No information was provided about wolf B14M, who has become the leader of the "native" Boulder Pack in SW Montana.
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