Washington state's gray wolf population has increased by 5% in 2022, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The state now has a population of at least 216 wolves and 37 packs, with all but one pack found in the north central and eastern parts of Washington.
Among the eight new gray wolf packs that formed last year, two were found in Okanogan County, one of which is the newly identified Chewuch pack in Methow Valley. The Methow Valley is home to three other packs as well, namely the Lookout pack, Loup Loup pack, and Sullivan Creek pack. Chewuch pack was documented using trail cameras and tracking, and is estimated to have 10 members.
The pack sizes statewide ranged from two to 10 wolves, with most having four to six individuals. The Methow Valley's Chewuch pack and Loup Loup pack, with 10 wolves each, were the two largest packs in the state last year.
Under the state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, wolves can be removed from the state’s endangered species list when at least four successful breeding pairs are present in each of the three recovery regions, and there are three additional breeding pairs anywhere in the state for three consecutive years; or when there are at least four successful breeding pairs in each recovery region and six additional breeding pars anywhere in the state for a single year.