04/22/05 Idaho wolves migrating into Oregon?

It was ten years ago this spring that the first Canadian gray wolves were reintroduced into central Idaho. US Fish and Wildlife Service says that number had swelled to 452 wolves in Idaho at the end of last year. There have been reports of wolves in several areas outside central Idaho and now Oregonians are reporting seeing wolves. Mike Colton is the Vice President of the Baker County Cattlemen's Association and he believes Idaho's growing wolf population is starting to branch out. COLTON "There dang sure coming. It's hard to say how many will be here. I don't think at this time that we have any packs that are established here or at least nobody seems to know about that and I think if we do have a pack that establishes itself in Oregon it'll be pretty obvious." US Fish and Wildlife wolf coordinator Carter Neimeyer says it wouldn't surprise him that wolves have migrated across the Snake River into eastern Oregon. The LaGrande office or the Oregon Department of Fish and Game will follow up on sighting reports and try to verify them. Rancher Colton isn't exactly thrilled with Oregon's wolf management plan. COLTON "Compensation was not our choice of a way to manage wolves. We would rather manage them rather than to try to collect money for a confirmed kill." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott