BigHornRam
Well-known member
This answers my question about who is funding the FWP wolf managers.
Craig, you ought to look this lady up and see if she's available. She's a looker, and very outdoorsy.
Wolves spreading across Bitterroot Valley
By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian
If you live or recreate in the Bitterroot, Liz Bradley could use your eyes and ears.
The state wolf management specialist is charged with keeping track of 15 known wolf packs that roam in an area that runs from Ninemile down through the Bitterroot to Dillon and over to Deer Lodge. And that's not to mention all the new wolves that seem to be cropping up these days.
“The public is definitely going to play a big part in helping us in tracking wolves,” said Bradley. “The information that they can provide is very helpful for us.”
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began managing wolves in earnest in 2004 after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to carry out most of the state's federally approved management plan. Federal funding pays for the state's wolf management coordinator based in Helena and four wolf specialists, like Bradley, working around the state.
Nearly half of the packs that Bradley tracks are found in or around the Bitterroot Valley. With its close proximity to the Idaho border, Bradley says the area will likely see other wolves dispersing through the area.
“There are a lot of wolves in Idaho right now,” she said. “The density is something like 500 to 600 Š we're probably going to see new wolves showing up from Horse Prairie all the way to Superior and De Borgia. It's the same thing that we saw out of Yellowstone.”
The public can help by reporting sightings either by filing a wolf sighting card available at U.S. Forest Service and Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices or by filling out a report on the state's wolf Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf/default.html. The state is looking for all kinds of information which can run the gamut from the description of wolves spotted by people to track sightings to reports of wolves howling.
“We can really glean quite a bit of information from these sightings,” Bradley said.
The seven wolf packs that range through the Bitterroot Valley include the:
Big Hole Pack - The Big Hole Pack splits its time between Montana and Idaho in the Lolo Pass area in the vicinity of the cross-country ski area. As of last summer, the pack included one of the few remaining wolves included in the original reintroductions into Idaho.
“B-7 is one of the few original wolves still alive,” said Bradley. “It may be as old as 12 Š that makes it an ancient wolf.” Bradley said B-7 was spotted last summer.
The pack initially dispersed into the Big Hole Valley and its original name stuck. At the end of 2005, the pack size was estimated to be nine wolves, which included at least four adults and two pups. The pack was counted as a breeding pair for Montana since it denned in the state last year. Bradley said it sometimes dens in Idaho.
South Brooks Creek Pack - This pack uses the territory once claimed by the Bass Creek Pack, which was removed in 1998. It ranges between Bass Creek south to Fred Burr Creek. The pack size is estimated at four wolves. So far, Bradley said there's not been any evidence of reproduction. One wolf in the pack was radio collared in April.
“This is the first year that they've shown up on the radar screen,” said Bradley.
Lake Como Pack - This pack is still a bit of mystery.
The pack was first spotted in 2002, but then it dropped out of sight until last year when a Forest Service biologist documented three wolves. Bradley believes the pack ranges between Lake Como and Tin Cup Creek. So far, attempts to get a radio collar in the pack have been unsuccessful.
“We really don't know too much about them,” said Bradley. “The public could really help by filling out sightings cards or providing us with information through our Web site.”
Sula Pack - The Sula Pack runs a relatively small territory in the Lost Trail Pass area.
“They don't seem to go into the West Fork drainage or much farther than Pickett Creek or as far as Ditch Creek,” said Bradley.
The pack had a litter of five pups this past summer, at least two of which have survived. At one point, researchers counted 10 wolves in the pack, but it's since dropped to seven.
“Some may have dispersed or died,” she said.
Painted Rock Pack - This pack once contained a radio-collared female from Idaho. That wolf has since died and researchers haven't been able to get another collar out.
Bradley estimates that there are at least four wolves in the pack, including two adults and two pups.
The wolves travel between the Nez Perce drainage between Blue Joint and Hughes creeks.
Skalkaho Pass Pack - There actually could be two packs working this area, said Bradley.
“We've only been able to confirm one so far,” she said. “The area they travel is large enough to support two packs. It's just that everyone sees a lot of grays.”
Wolf activity has been reported in the foothills east of Hamilton clear to the East Fork.
A local biologist recently counted six wolves. Right now, none are collared.
Sapphire Pack - This pack mainly ranges over the eastern side of the Sapphire Mountains, although they do make occasional forays into the head of Skalkaho Pass. They travel as far south as Copper Creek and as far north as the main stem of Rock Creek.
The pack is a large one with 13 wolves, one of which is radio collared. There are 12 black wolves and one gray and at least four pups.
Under new rules set last year, people can now harass any wolves they might encounter. Bradley encourages them to do just that.
“We encourage people to scare them off any time they see them,” she said. “It's good for the wolves and it's good for people, too. We want to create boundaries that wolves will respect over time.”
“There's a lot of development going on in the Bitterroot right now. We don't want wolves in people's backyards,” said Bradley. “Any kind of loud noises or yelling will do it.”
This time of the year wolves can be particularly hard on dogs.
Wolves are beginning to breed right now and are very territorial, Bradley said.
“If people are seeing wolves, we encourage them to be very careful with their dogs,” she said. “It's a good idea to keep them in at night.”
Howl 'em up
If you've seen or heard a wolf, you can report sightings either by filing a wolf sighting card available at U.S. Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices or on the state's wolf Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf/default.html.
Craig, you ought to look this lady up and see if she's available. She's a looker, and very outdoorsy.
Wolves spreading across Bitterroot Valley
By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian
If you live or recreate in the Bitterroot, Liz Bradley could use your eyes and ears.
The state wolf management specialist is charged with keeping track of 15 known wolf packs that roam in an area that runs from Ninemile down through the Bitterroot to Dillon and over to Deer Lodge. And that's not to mention all the new wolves that seem to be cropping up these days.
“The public is definitely going to play a big part in helping us in tracking wolves,” said Bradley. “The information that they can provide is very helpful for us.”
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began managing wolves in earnest in 2004 after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to carry out most of the state's federally approved management plan. Federal funding pays for the state's wolf management coordinator based in Helena and four wolf specialists, like Bradley, working around the state.
Nearly half of the packs that Bradley tracks are found in or around the Bitterroot Valley. With its close proximity to the Idaho border, Bradley says the area will likely see other wolves dispersing through the area.
“There are a lot of wolves in Idaho right now,” she said. “The density is something like 500 to 600 Š we're probably going to see new wolves showing up from Horse Prairie all the way to Superior and De Borgia. It's the same thing that we saw out of Yellowstone.”
The public can help by reporting sightings either by filing a wolf sighting card available at U.S. Forest Service and Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices or by filling out a report on the state's wolf Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf/default.html. The state is looking for all kinds of information which can run the gamut from the description of wolves spotted by people to track sightings to reports of wolves howling.
“We can really glean quite a bit of information from these sightings,” Bradley said.
The seven wolf packs that range through the Bitterroot Valley include the:
Big Hole Pack - The Big Hole Pack splits its time between Montana and Idaho in the Lolo Pass area in the vicinity of the cross-country ski area. As of last summer, the pack included one of the few remaining wolves included in the original reintroductions into Idaho.
“B-7 is one of the few original wolves still alive,” said Bradley. “It may be as old as 12 Š that makes it an ancient wolf.” Bradley said B-7 was spotted last summer.
The pack initially dispersed into the Big Hole Valley and its original name stuck. At the end of 2005, the pack size was estimated to be nine wolves, which included at least four adults and two pups. The pack was counted as a breeding pair for Montana since it denned in the state last year. Bradley said it sometimes dens in Idaho.
South Brooks Creek Pack - This pack uses the territory once claimed by the Bass Creek Pack, which was removed in 1998. It ranges between Bass Creek south to Fred Burr Creek. The pack size is estimated at four wolves. So far, Bradley said there's not been any evidence of reproduction. One wolf in the pack was radio collared in April.
“This is the first year that they've shown up on the radar screen,” said Bradley.
Lake Como Pack - This pack is still a bit of mystery.
The pack was first spotted in 2002, but then it dropped out of sight until last year when a Forest Service biologist documented three wolves. Bradley believes the pack ranges between Lake Como and Tin Cup Creek. So far, attempts to get a radio collar in the pack have been unsuccessful.
“We really don't know too much about them,” said Bradley. “The public could really help by filling out sightings cards or providing us with information through our Web site.”
Sula Pack - The Sula Pack runs a relatively small territory in the Lost Trail Pass area.
“They don't seem to go into the West Fork drainage or much farther than Pickett Creek or as far as Ditch Creek,” said Bradley.
The pack had a litter of five pups this past summer, at least two of which have survived. At one point, researchers counted 10 wolves in the pack, but it's since dropped to seven.
“Some may have dispersed or died,” she said.
Painted Rock Pack - This pack once contained a radio-collared female from Idaho. That wolf has since died and researchers haven't been able to get another collar out.
Bradley estimates that there are at least four wolves in the pack, including two adults and two pups.
The wolves travel between the Nez Perce drainage between Blue Joint and Hughes creeks.
Skalkaho Pass Pack - There actually could be two packs working this area, said Bradley.
“We've only been able to confirm one so far,” she said. “The area they travel is large enough to support two packs. It's just that everyone sees a lot of grays.”
Wolf activity has been reported in the foothills east of Hamilton clear to the East Fork.
A local biologist recently counted six wolves. Right now, none are collared.
Sapphire Pack - This pack mainly ranges over the eastern side of the Sapphire Mountains, although they do make occasional forays into the head of Skalkaho Pass. They travel as far south as Copper Creek and as far north as the main stem of Rock Creek.
The pack is a large one with 13 wolves, one of which is radio collared. There are 12 black wolves and one gray and at least four pups.
Under new rules set last year, people can now harass any wolves they might encounter. Bradley encourages them to do just that.
“We encourage people to scare them off any time they see them,” she said. “It's good for the wolves and it's good for people, too. We want to create boundaries that wolves will respect over time.”
“There's a lot of development going on in the Bitterroot right now. We don't want wolves in people's backyards,” said Bradley. “Any kind of loud noises or yelling will do it.”
This time of the year wolves can be particularly hard on dogs.
Wolves are beginning to breed right now and are very territorial, Bradley said.
“If people are seeing wolves, we encourage them to be very careful with their dogs,” she said. “It's a good idea to keep them in at night.”
Howl 'em up
If you've seen or heard a wolf, you can report sightings either by filing a wolf sighting card available at U.S. Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices or on the state's wolf Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf/default.html.
