First Idaho Wolf Kill

Robert Millage with the first Idaho wolf killed in a wolf season in 80+ years

I was shocked to see Fellow blogger and Idaho photographer, Robert Millage’s, name gracing the front page of our local newspaper upon my return to civilization following my recent elk hunt. Robert is an Idaho boy like myself, but lives 5 hours away. So what is it that prompted his name to grace the pages of not just our newpaper, but as far reaching as being contacted by Sportsman’s Channel, Field & Stream, and NY Times? Robert was the first to connect on Idaho’s first wolf hunt in more than 80 years.

The wolf has created a major stir in the western states. Ranchers claiming they are killing livestock at alarming rates, hunters are up in arms that wolves are making the elk a relic of the past, and those trying to defend the wolf are claiming the packs are just doing what they’ve done for years before humans got involved. Management of the wolf was given back to the states this year, and Idaho was the first state to open a wolf season. Barring an overruling, Idaho will allow the killing of 220 wolves this year. But no one will get the distinction – for better or worse – of shooting the first as Robert. In speaking briefly by email with Robert, he informed me he’s gotten overwhelming support from fellow hunters, but the wolf defenders have left messages on his phone, sent nasty emails, etc.

It’s been said that the wolf is one of the most difficult animals to hunt because of their keen nose, but also because of their intellegence. They’re a predator that flat out knows how to survive. Robert called a pack in with coyote distress calls knowing that wolves will make short work of a coyote in their territory. This female led the pack and he shot her at 25 yards: