Testimonials

I saw my first pack of wolves in Idaho while elk hunting in 1999. Over the next 8-10 years, I watched the elk population in this area go from incredibly healthy and robust to nearly non-existent. The elk hunting area I hunted, and had hoped to pass along to my children as they grew older, became nothing more than a story of seasons gone by filled with present-day disappointment. The few elk that remained were forced to change their behavior radically just to survive, which kept them constantly on the move or pushed onto private lands where they were no longer huntable.

When the first wolf hunting season was finally allowed to open, it became apparent to all who participated that controlling wolf populations to create a balance between predator and prey was going to be nearly impossible. Success rates for wolf hunting were far lower than any of most difficult hunts anywhere, which was only compounded by the fact that wolf hunting would be put on hold for several more years due to continuing litigation.

As the wolf delisting was finally approved asecond time, and wolf hunting seasons were allowed to reopen, the reality began to set in. Wolves were here to stay, and even with the most liberal opportunities to hunt, trap, and employ all means necessary to control wolf populations, there was going to be an everlasting detrimental effect on elk, deer, and moose populations in the west. With wolf hunting success rates of less than 1%, it was going to take a dedicated effort from hunters just to keep wolf populations where they were, let alone attempt to reduce them so ungulate populations could recover and big game animals like elk, deer, and moose could return to areas where they once thrived.

The efforts of F4WM, and the program they have implemented to help reimburse successful wolf hunters for their expenses, have been a life-line for wildlife populations in Idaho (and now Montana).

First, F4WM’s reimbursement program provides an incentive for hunters to purchase a wolf tag (just $13.50 for residents and $31.75 for non-residents) and then be prepared for an incidental encounter with a wolf while they are hunting other wildlife. With a $40 membership to F4WM, there is an opportunity for these incidental hunters to recoup up to $2000 if they get lucky and happen to shoot a wolf.

Secondly, for those who take wolf hunting more seriously and dedicate the time, energy, and money necessary to focus on hunting wolves, a F4WM membership provides financial support for wolf hunting and trapping successes by way of reimbursement for expenses.

And perhaps most important, a F4WM membership provides an opportunity for all hunters (regardless of where they live) to offer support to successful wolf hunters – and the other wildlife that directly benefits from active efforts related to wolf population control. Their contributions provide incentive and financial support to hunters who are able to put boots on the ground and lead the charge in helping to manage wolf populations in Idaho and Montana.

-Corey Jacobsen

I am a fifth generation Idaho native, and I have hunted with my family in Idaho since I
was old enough to walk. Hunting has been a key part in my life, my children’s lives, and
now my grandchildren’s lives.
In 60+ years of life I have seen wildlife populations flourish at times and at other times
decline. However, the biggest change that I have seen in my lifetime was after wolves
were reintroduced. I saw wildlife populations plummet, and animal behavior changed
drastically.
Numbers of elk and deer declined, and they became harder to find. Places where it was
not too difficult to find decent numbers of elk and deer and decent numbers of mature
animals became harder to find, however wolf sign, and numbers were skyrocketing.
I personally know several ranchers that have experienced problems with wolves in their
operations. Loss of individuals in their herds as well as reduced weights and other
problems associated with wolves have taken a measurable toll on their operations and
livelihoods.
Wolves are the apex predator and a very efficient killer of big game, and they require
lots of luck, time, energy, and money to successfully harvest them. F4WM is a great tool
to incentivize hunters and trappers to recover some of the money invested in harvesting
wolves.
F4WM also provides a wonderful way for everyone that value wildlife to contribute and
help control wolves even when they are not capable to hunt or trap them. F4WM allows
anyone to become a member and make a minimal donation that helps reimburse the
costs of control.
As a direct result of F4WM, many people have incentive now to take to the woods with a
wolf tag in their pocket and as a result many wolves have been harvested that otherwise
may not have been. This has resulted in 1000’s of deer, elk, and other ungulates having
been saved.
I am grateful to F4WM for their dedication to helping our wildlife populations endure for
future generations. Their efforts have a direct measurable positive impact.

-David Silcock

I want to give a huge shout out to F4WM for the opportunity regarding I was the lucky winner of the HOWL I GET ONE Giveaway Hunt and was Blessed to harvest a wolf with Wingmaster Outfitting from LaCrete Alberta. Thanks to them as well I would recommend them to anyone it was a Great Experience & Great People!! If you’ve never taken a wolf before, you should join the F4WM “Howl I get one” club so you can try your hand at matching wits with these amazing animals too!

-Mike Bowman

In my opinion F4WM has done more for wildlife in the state of Idaho than any other nonprofit organization that I can think of. I couldn’t imagine where our wildlife would be without the tools of managing this apex predator. This is one of many reasons why I am a member. I know of many hunters and trappers that are very talented at managing wolves, but don’t have the time and money to do it. F4WM helps ease that financial burden with the help of reimbursing their expenses. I have personally experienced what wolves can do to a landscape, one example I have is there was a brush field that I would look for mule deer sheds about 15 years ago, not exaggerating when I would say it was nothing to see 100+ mule deer wintering in there in just one day. When the wolves found that area, in just a 2 year span, it went from seeing 100+ mule deer to just seeing 5. It was gut wrenching. Thanks to the efforts of hunting and trapping wolves, I am now seeing close to 40+ mule deer using that brush field in the winter again, now obviously it wasn’t as good as it used to be, but its improvement. Also, elk hunting areas that I abandoned years ago due to the excessive predation are now returning. It’s great to see the old game trails being used again, and a fair amount of trail camera photos of ungulates that are showing back up. This gives me hope.

-Tom Schneider Stuck N The Rut