(The Center Square) – Hikers have more to watch out for than bears this summer. Washington state’s gray wolf population has increased over the last 15 years, said Julie Smith, endangered species recovery section manager for the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, during Wednesday’s episode of “The Impact” on TVW. In fact, the gray wolf population jumped by 20% alone in 2023, she said, with packs now moving south of Interstate 90 and further into the western half of the state. At the end of 2023, WDFW and tribes around the state counted 260 wolves and 42 packs, according to the department…