Wolves kill six hunting hounds in Madison County - East Idaho News
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Wolves kill six hunting hounds in Madison County

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MADISON COUNTY — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game confirms six tracking hounds were killed by wolves earlier this month on two separate occasions.

A hunter familiar with the situations tells EastIdahoNews.com the first wolf attack was on May 7, when a black bear hunter lost three hounds near South Moody Creek area. The hunter asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the wolf issue in Idaho.

The handler checked trail cameras and searched for wolf tracks prior to letting his dogs loose. He says there was no indication of wolves in the area.

The handler released his dogs on a black bear track. Later, sensors in the dogs collars showed the hounds had stopped – usually indicating a bear has been treed. The handler walked to the location and discovered all three had been killed.

The three hounds, valued at $5,000 each, were known as ‘finished dogs’, meaning they were fully trained to run the desired game only and ignore animals such as moose, elk and deer.

The second wolf attack happened May 16 and was near the bottom of Calamity Creek – four miles from the first incident.

Three more hounds from a different handler were killed in a similar situation. Witnesses say they saw wolves in the area and one, with white fur, had been collared by game officials.

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Gregg Losinski, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, says the wolf pack in the Moody Meadows area is known as the White Owl Pack.

“The pack is believed to have up to ten wolves in it,” Losinski told EastIdahoNews.com. “They are not considered to be an aggressive pack.”

Wolves are wary of humans, Loskinski said, but when wolves encounter other canine species such as domestic dogs, coyotes, and foxes, they are very territorial and will often kill.

Losinski said Idaho is a wild place and that people need to be aware of the animals that make particular areas a home.

“This area is home to wolves, mountain lions, black bears and even grizzly bears,” Losinski said.

The dog owners want other hunters and campers to be aware that wolves are in the area – especially if you
bring your dogs into wolf territory. They hope no other animals are attacked.

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