There was an issue early on with wolf "re-introduction" programs concerning the extinction of wolves in the area. Many of the locals insist that they weren't, and hence bringing in new populations ran the risk of upsetting whatever balance did exist.
I have never sighted wolves in this area, but I have only done sporadic back-packing around here. I do NOT hike unarmed, however. The Nez Perce word for an unarmed hiker is "raw meat."