$2,000 for every wolf pup: Idaho reimbursed hunters for 12 newborn wolves killed at their den, and wildlife advocates call it a bounty

What happened

On 6 November 2026 the Guardian, working with the US outlet Public Domain, published an investigation into wolves in the state of Idaho. According to records from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, hunters were paid this spring for killing 12 newborn wolf pups. At least one litter appears to have been wiped out in or near its den.

One day in April

The records show that on 25 April three separate hunters shot 12 wolf pups in northern Idaho, in the panhandle that borders Canada. The records say rifles were used, although at least two entries also contain a contradictory note saying “no weapon”. Wolves give birth once a year in spring, and the pups were probably between one and three weeks old.

$2,000 a wolf

Each of these pups counted under a reimbursement programme. In the season that ended in June it paid $2,000 per wolf killed, whether adult or pup. The money comes from a mix of sources: taxpayers, hunting licence sales and contributions from the Foundation for Wildlife Management, a private non-profit that campaigns to reduce wolf numbers.

How the programme works

In 2021 the Idaho authorities signed an agreement with the foundation. It reimburses the expenses of any hunter or trapper who provides proof of killing a wolf. A wide range of costs can be claimed: truck payments, fuel, ammunition, outdoor clothing. In practice it means a fixed payment for every wolf taken.

Why it is legal

Department biologist Cory Mosby confirmed to the newspaper that all 12 wolves in the records were pups. No state regulation bars killing pups, he said. Wildlife agencies normally protect young wolves by closing hunting seasons in spring, when pups are born. But in Idaho wolf hunting is allowed all year round.

A law passed five years ago

Five years ago the state legislature passed a law that greatly relaxed restrictions. It lengthened hunting seasons, removed limits on many methods and allowed third parties to be hired to kill wolves. Hunters can buy an unlimited number of wolf tags: $14 each for residents and $32 for non-residents.

The target: 650 wolves

The wolf management plan adopted in 2023 requires the state to reduce the population to about 650 animals in spring, when wolf numbers peak. That is why the rules are so permissive. Mosby says restrictions will probably become stricter as the population falls. But that day is still a long way off.

Remarkably resilient wolves

According to state estimates, the population peaked at about 1,600 wolves in spring 2019. This year it still stands at more than 1,100, despite intensive hunting and trapping and the payments. Mosby says reaching the target would mean killing more than a third of the population every year. “They're an incredibly impressive and resilient species,” the biologist admits.

“An abomination”

Wildlife advocates are furious. Brooks Fahy, director of the group Predator Defense, called it an abomination. He believes most people, even in Idaho, would be appalled if they knew taxpayers' money was paying for this. “Let's call this what it is – it's a bounty,” he said.

Receipts for wolf pups?

What particularly angers Fahy is the idea of reimbursing expenses. “What kind of receipts are you going to show for 12 pups who weigh 12lbs? It's ridiculous on its face,” he said. Neither the foundation nor the state's wolf depredation control board responded to journalists' questions.

How kills are checked

For every wolf killed, a hunter must present the skull and hide, with proof of sex, to a wildlife officer. The officer normally takes a tooth, which lets biologists estimate the animal's age and genetic information. No teeth were taken from the 12 pups. Mosby says that was probably because their teeth had not yet come through or were too small to extract.

How the den was found

The records list the method as “still stalk”: the hunter spots an animal and creeps up to take a shot. Wolf experts believe something else happened. In their view, the hunters had found the dens in advance, watched them until the females gave birth, then pulled the pups out and killed them.

An old practice with new cameras

Pulling wild canine pups from dens has a long history in the American West, where livestock interests have long clashed with wolves and coyotes. Carter Niemeyer, who spent nearly three decades working with wolves in government service, notes that modern trail cameras with mobile connectivity make it far easier to watch over a den.

Where Idaho's wolves came from

By the mid-20th century grey wolves had been almost wiped out across the continental US, partly through government extermination programmes. In 1995 the US Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduced wolves to Idaho. The population recovered quickly, but so did conflict with ranchers and big game outfitters.

The ranchers' case

Ranchers complain about wolves attacking cattle and sheep, while hunting outfitters say there are fewer deer and elk for their clients. It was under pressure from these groups that Idaho lawmakers adopted the tough rules. For them, reducing wolf numbers is a matter of income and protecting their herds.

The advocates' case

Wildlife advocates and many scientists respond that wolves are important for healthy ecosystems: they keep deer and elk numbers in check and remove sick animals. Killing pups at the den is seen as especially unacceptable because it goes against the very idea of fair chase. And breaking up a pack may even increase attacks on livestock.

Why a broken pack can be riskier

Studies in several countries suggest that a stable pack with experienced adults hunts wild prey. When a pack is broken up, young wolves are more often left without that experience and may turn to easy targets such as livestock. So mass culling does not always reduce losses for farmers.

Protecting livestock without culling

In many parts of the world farmers reduce losses to wolves without mass culling. Electric fences around night pens, livestock guardian dogs, fladry and light deterrents, and people staying near the herd in the riskiest season all help. These measures take money and labour, so in a number of countries the state covers part of the cost.

How wolves are counted

Counting wolves is not easy: they live secretively and travel huge distances. Biologists use trail cameras, tracks in snow, radio collars and genetic analysis of scat and hair. In Idaho, data from kills – skulls, hides and teeth – also help model population size. So not taking samples from the pups leaves a gap in the scientific data too.

Wolves and dogs

This is an important issue for dog owners in wolf country too. Wolves see unfamiliar dogs as rivals and may attack them, especially near the den in spring. Hunting dogs that range far from their owners are most at risk. Similar incidents happen regularly in Finland and Sweden.

How to protect your dog

In areas with wolves, experts recommend some simple steps:

1. Keep your dog on a lead in spring and early summer, when wolves have pups.
2. Do not leave your dog outside overnight without shelter.
3. Do not leave food waste near the house.
4. Use a high-visibility vest with a bell on woodland walks.
5. If you meet a wolf, do not run; speak loudly and keep your dog close.

What happens next

The investigation has reignited debate about how US states manage wolves after federal protection was lifted. Advocates are calling for hunting to be banned during the pupping season and for the payments to be scrapped. The Idaho authorities are sticking to their reduction plan. Journalists received no replies from the foundation or the board that oversee the payments.

European parallels

In Europe wolves are protected by the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive, although in 2025 the wolf's status in the EU was downgraded from “strictly protected” to “protected”. That gives countries more flexibility to manage numbers. But killing pups at the den and paying per head are not practised in European countries.

What this means for Europe

The Idaho story shows where a policy focused on cutting predator numbers at any cost can lead. European countries are also debating how many wolves they need and how to protect livestock. The US experience is an argument for prevention: fences, guardian dogs and compensation for damage rather than payments for kills.

When to see a vet

If your dog has fought with a wild animal, take it to the vet even if you can hardly see any wounds: there may be deep bites under the coat. Get help urgently if there is bleeding, lameness, difficulty breathing or signs of shock. Always mention contact with a wild animal so the vet can check your dog's rabies vaccination status and decide on any further steps.