Today the CDA Press ran a front page story on a local hunter who shot a wolf in the Joe recently.  The story needs clarification. In that story, is the quote “It was the head and fur of what had been a massive wolf…The 2002 Coeur d’Alene High School graduate got what he estimated was a 180-pound wolf…” This wolf was NOT weighed by anyone, and was presented for check-in as stated – only a head and hide.  It “felt” like 180 lbs to the hunter - that doesn’t make it 180 lbs.  You can probably tell, chasing down these kinds of rumors ticks me off a bit, but it’s important for us all to deal with facts, not guesses/Jim Hayden, regional wildlife manager, Idaho F&G department. More below.

• Archives: Actual wolf weights often skimpier than hunters estimate/Becky Kramer, SR

Question: Aren't you glad there aren't 180-pound wolves in the North Idaho woods?

That wolf was indeed a nice mature male, but the head was not any larger than the other males for which we have verified weights.  Here’s the up to date graph for Panhandle wolves killed, with the weights from the transplanted wolves included as well.  The average adult male weights have ranged from 89 to 126, averaging 105 lbs.  Recently a 128 pound wolf was verified taken downstate in another zone.  We’ll get wolves in the 130 to 140 pound range over time, maybe even a little higher, but nothing in that range yet.  The largest transplanted wolf was 135 lbs.  180 lbs is silly. 

Sorry if I’m a bit cranky this morning, it’s that time of year.