BOISE - As Idahoans look for a day when wolves in the state will no longer be endangered, the animal's population continues to increase - as do concerns about how the animals will be managed.

Year-end statistics show Idaho has almost 800 wolves, their population is rising 20 percent annually, and they are causing more problems for livestock, said Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Cal Groen. Wolves multiply by 30 percent to 40 percent while they decrease by 10 percent for various reasons, he said.

But some members of the Senate Resources and Conservation Committee who heard Groen's report questioned not only the accuracy of the agency's conclusions, but also the process by which the agency came to them.

Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, said the agency's statistics for impact on livestock, including 52 dead calves, were so underestimated that they were a "joke." Pearce, who represents a district in the heart of the wolf reintroduction area, asked for the agency to investigate unconfirmed cattle attacks because his constituents are losing animals.

"Are you guys really recording the reality of what happens in Idaho? Because these numbers don't reflect that," he said. "This is really phony."

Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, who supports the delisting of wolves, said the sportsmen he associates with would disagree with how the state agencies determined conflicts with ungulates, such as elk and deer.

"It's what we see," said Jim Unsworth, a biologist with Fish and Game. "We're not seeing everything. I can be sure of that."

Groen said the state is trying to be "responsive" and "aggressive" with an issue that has been dormant for years in Idaho. Gray wolves were first placed on the endangered species list in 1973, and reintroduced into central Idaho in 1995.

So far, it's unclear whether Idaho will manage wolves at a minimum level since the population grows so fast. Regulations, as well as hunting season, are expected to be set by the state's Fish and Game Fommission in coming months.

Cameron, who is also chairman of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, also raised concern about whether there is enough funding or state personnel for wolf management. Currently, funding is only coming from the federal government, and Groen said that traditionally funds hunting management with user fees.

Wolves are expected to be delisted Feb. 28 and goes into effect 30 days later.

And by the end of January, the federal government will publish changes to the 10(j) rule to give more flexibility to dog owners to killing wolves off of their property and make it easier for the federal government come in for assistance, said Jeff Allen, a policy advisor in the governor's office of species conservation.

Both the federal delisting of wolves and the changes to the 10(j) rules will likely be contested in court, Allen said. Many sportsmen have expressed concern on the effect wolves might have on elk and deer herds.

Most of the wolves are in central and northern regions of Idaho, but Groen said they will likely migrate to the south - farther into the Magic Valley - as time goes on.

"As they go into the Magic Valley, into agriculture, there'll be conflicts," he said.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 631-793-5717 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com