This discovery marks the first confirmed wolf activity in the U.S. Rockies in roughly 50 years. The wolf recovery team releases its initial wolf recovery plan. The plan fails to address crucial aspects of wolf recovery such as the location of recovery areas, strategies for dealing with livestock losses, and recovery goals. The plan does not mention the possibility of reintroducing wolves. A new wolf recovery team begins revising the recovery plan to address issues overlooked in the initial plan.
Biologists document the first continuous wolf pack activity in Montana in over half a century.
1983 NWF begins its involvement in the wolf recovery issue. 1984 NWF passes a joint resolution drafted by its western affiliates supporting wolf recovery. Biologists document the first wolf pups born in the U.S. Rockies since wolves were eradicated from the region in the 1930s. NWF begins producing wolf educational materials to inform the public especially the residents of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana about the plan. NWF's Tom Dougherty serves on the Wolf Management Committee .