HB 485: Compensating for grizzly bear and wolf depredation — 2024

Rep. Jerald Raymond (R-Menan) introduced House Bill 485 in the House Resources and Conservation Committee. HB 485 would authorize the expenditure of $150,000 to compensate livestock owners for losses attributed to grizzly bears and wolves. The bill would also authorize $75,000 for education and conflict prevention between humans, livestock, and predators.

Grizzly bears remain protected under the Endangered Species Act, while wolves were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2011, and are managed as a big game species by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. Currently, only federal funds are available for livestock losses, and are provided for losses confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program.

Between 2018-2022, payments for wolf-related livestock losses totaled about $100,000, however dropped to only $26,000 in 2023, in part because Idaho does not match the federal compensation funds with state dollars. By funding compensation with state appropriations, the hope is that Idaho will be more competitive with other states and could attract additional federal funds.

Other funds provided by the Idaho Legislature, along with contributions from hunting tags and a portion of livestock fees, total about $1 million, but are limited to only lethal control options, where the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board contracts with federal Wildlife Services as well as private contractors to kill wolves.

Even if HB 485 passes, the funding will need to be appropriated later in the session.

[Note: on February 15th, HB 485 was held in committee at the request of the sponsor, who introduced an amended version of the bill (HB 592) on Feb. 20th.]