Idaho Hunters Paid Thousands to Kill Newborn Wolf Pups

State records shared with the Guardian and Public Domain reveal that Idaho officials paid hunters thousands of dollars for killing a dozen newborn wolf pups this spring. The payments formed part of an effort to shrink the state's wolf population, drawing sharp criticism from wildlife advocates. In the region of Idaho, state wildlife officials have faced pressure from the livestock industry and big game hunting outfitters to reduce the number of gray wolves.

A law passed five years ago by the state legislature loosened restrictions on hunting seasons, removed rules on killing methods, and allowed third parties to be contracted for wolf hunts. In 2021, state game officials partnered with the Foundation for Wildlife Management to reimburse hunters and trappers for expenses such as fuel, ammunition, and truck payments upon providing proof of a wolf kill. The reimbursement program paid $2,000 per wolf kill through the hunting season ending in June.

State records show that three separate hunters used rifles to kill 12 wolf pups in the northern panhandle region on April 25. The pups were likely between one and three weeks old. While hunters and trappers are normally required to present a skull and hide with proof of sex to wildlife officers for tooth sampling, officials did not take teeth samples from these pups because their teeth had not grown in or were too small. A state biologist confirmed they were pups and stated that no regulations bar their killing.

State-backed payments of $2,000 per kill incentivize hunters to target newborn wolf pups in Idaho.

While official records state the pups were killed by still stalking, wolf experts suggest the hunters likely located dens and removed the pups. Wildlife advocates condemned the program, with Predator Defense director Brooks Fahy describing it as an abomination and a bounty. Meanwhile, state management plans aim to reduce the wolf population to approximately 650 animals.

Why it matters

The state-backed financial incentives and permissive hunting regulations directly impact wildlife management and predator populations in the region. While gray wolves have rebounded since their 1995 reintroduction, the targeted culling of pups highlights ongoing tensions between conservationists, hunters, and agricultural industries.