Decline in wolves? Not bloody likely
One probably shouldn’t read too much into a state report indicating that Montana’s wolf population declined slightly last year for the first in almost a decade.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is reporting that the state ended 2012 with at least 625 wolves in 147 packs roaming the landscape, roughly a 4 percent decline from 653 animals in the 2011 minimum count.
The key words here are “at least” and “minimum count.”
Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials have long stressed that the counts represent the number of wolves that were visually observed, mostly by tracking packs that contained wolves bearing radio collars. They also acknowledge there are actually more wolves than the counts indicate.
And that stands to reason, considering that counting depends on getting radio collars in the field through trapping efforts that may be more or less successful from one year to the next.
The main reason for having minimum counts is to ensure that populations do not drop below a desired population threshold. State officials say about 400 to 500 are needed to maintain a sustainable population. Wolf hunting and trapping quotas were lifted across most of the state last year, but those limits could return if the minimum drops below the target threshold.
That seems highly unlikely though, considering how successful wolves have been at re-establishing themselves at the top of the food chain in Montana.
One lake that’s no fun
There’s good news for travelers along U.S. 2 in Evergreen: The periodic pond that forms in front of McDonald’s is finally due for work.
The Montana Department of Transportation plans to undertake a drainage project next year to fix the splashy roadside problem.
The estimated $4 million project aims to improve stormwater drainage along a two-mile stretch of U.S. 2 between the railroad underpass and Cottonwood Drive.
The puddle-prevention project comes after years of requests by business owners and customers.
They no doubt will be pleased when the so-called “Lake McDonald” is dry for good.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.