The foundation claims it is “financially responsible for 79 percent of all wolves trapped in Idaho in the 2015-2016 season,” according to its website, F4WM.org. That included spending more than $225,000 in member sponsorship and sponsor dollars paid out for the killing of 415 wolves. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation contributed $25,000.

F4WM offers reimbursements of $500 for any legally trapped Idaho wolf, $250 for legally hunted Idaho wolves, and $750 for wolves killed in parts of Idaho with lower-than-objective elk numbers.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game provided reimbursement grants for wolf trappers in several Panhandle, Clearwater and Southwest/Salmon hunting regions. That allowed the foundation to increase payouts in those areas to $1,000. To claim reimbursement, trappers and hunters must send copies of their receipts and their wolf check-in form to the foundation.

Current Montana law prohibits giving prizes for killing any big game, fowl or fur-bearing animal or other animal protected by law. It does allow prizes of $50 or less for contests of largest antler, weight, and body length.