Helping Ranchers
Ranchers, too, are benefiting from wolves, which are biting into coyote populations in the region.
"Before wolves were released, the Lamar Valley region contained at least 12 coyote packs totaling about 80 individuals," says Bob Crabtree, director of Yellowstone Ecosystem Studies. "Within a year, the wolves had reduced the number of coyotes by half, [leaving] only about 36 coyotes arranged in nine packs." Crabtree adds that the average coyote pack size fell from six to 3.8, and that each winter between 25% and 33% of the coyote population is killed by wolves.
Some wolf packs have extended their territories onto other public lands in the region. By putting a significant dent in coyote populations, wolves are saving the Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program thousands of dollars in aerial gunning, trapping and poisoning of coyotes.
Wyoming's wolves are indeed "worth the watching."
Wyoming Outdoor Council
262 Lincoln St., Lander, Wyoming 82520
woc@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org - (307) 332-7031