2 more wolves killed

The Daily Inter Lake

A federal trapper killed two more wolves in the Hog Heaven Pack west of Niarada on Tuesday.

A total of seven wolves have been removed from the pack in response to a series of livestock depredation incidents in the pack's territory west of Kalispell.

The pack is estimated to have from five to seven wolves remaining, according to Kent Laudon, wolf management specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The pack is believed to be responsible for killing a calf Sept. 16, two breeding-stock heifers Sept. 23, a calf Sept. 25 and another calf Oct. 8.

During the past couple of months, Laudon said, he has monitored the pack's movements as far south as the Little Thompson River drainage. Based on those movements, he said, the pack now is believed to be responsible for killing three llamas in that area Aug. 6.

Previously, it was believed that another wolf pack - the Salish Pack - may have been responsible for the llama deaths.

Laudon also said that a young female wolf was found dead near Murphy Lake in the Trego area. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wardens are investigating the death.

Laudon urges hunters and others to report wolf sightings to help identify wolf activity, distribution and numbers in the region.

Sightings can be reported by calling 752-5501 or they can be reported on the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Web site at: www.fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf