Protecting Western Wolves UPDATE #3

Latest Efforts to Protect Western Wolves

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in September that wolves in the West may need a return to protection under the Endangered Species Act. The FWS stated that protection may be warranted because new laws in Idaho and Montana promote such widespread killing of wolves. While agreeing to begin a twelve-month study of the need for protection, the agency declined to immediately restore protection for western wolves on an emergency basis. So wolves will be hunted and die in the interim. 

Trying to protect wolves, twenty-one U.S. senators led by New Jersey’s Cory Booker and Michigan’s Gary Peters sent a letter that asked Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to shield wolves from being killed for 240 days while permanent protections are considered. Matthew Brown of the Associated Press notes that the letter was signed by senators from California and Nevada in the West, but no Northern Rockies lawmakers. Numerous Tribal nations have also called for emergency relisting of gray wolves. 

The Endangered Species Act allows Haaland to authorize an emergency relisting if she determines a species faces a significant threat. To date she and her agency have taken no action to protect wolves.

So, sadly, the number of wolves killed during the current wolf hunting season in Montana and Idaho will be a key factor in whether the FWS decides to return surviving wolves to protection of the ESA. 

More than 320 wolves were killed during Montana’s 2020 hunting season. Officials told Brown of the AP that the 2020 death count is significantly more than the preceding eight-year average of 242 wolves per year. The toll could go higher now that Montana’s Governor signed legislation that allows wildlife commissioners to legalize wolf killing methods previously outlawed, including snaring, baiting, and night hunting.

Even though watching the number of wolves taken is painful, it's essential to stay informed. I will regularly post data from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) on wolf kills in each of the Montana's wolf management units during the six months of hunting and trapping. (See table below.) 

The Danger to Yellowstone and Glacier Wolves 

Park wolves following elk and other food out of Yellowstone National Park can be shot once they step paw into units 310, 313, and 316. For over a decade Montana limited the number of wolves that could be taken in 313 and 316. Last year that quota was one wolf in each of the units. New rules abolished those quotas and so far nine wolves have been killed in 313 and 316. Three of those wolves were confirmed as Yellowstone wolves.

Park wolves stepping out of Glacier National Park can be shot in units 110 and 130.  So far five wolves have been killed in 130 and none in 110. 

Remember that most of these wolves were born and raised in parks where hunting is not allowed and humans do not represent danger. This makes them an easy target outside the park.

After two female pups and a female yearling from the Junction Butte Pack were killed outside Yellowstone in unit 316 in September, Yellowstone Park Superintendent Cam Sholly stated in a press release, “Yellowstone plays a vital role in Montana’s wildlife conservation efforts and its economy. These wolves are part of our balanced ecosystem here and represent one of the special parts of the park that draw visitors from around the globe. We will continue to work with the state of Montana to make the case for reinstating quotas that would protect the core wolf population in Yellowstone as well as Montana’s direct economic interests derived from the hundreds of millions spent by park visitors each year.”

The release adds: "Visitor spending within communities that are 50 miles from Yellowstone exceeds $500 million per year, tens of millions of which is spent by visitors coming to watch wolves and supporting Montana businesses in gateway communities.” 

You can help protect wolves around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks 

Wildlife advocacy groups have asked federal officials to impose a 5-mile zone near park boundaries where wolves could not be hunted. You can sign that letter. 

Learn more about how to write and send a credible and science-based comment to FWS about emergency relisting of western wolves.

Visit Montana FWP for daily updates and map

Important info on hunting and trapping:

2021-2022 Wolf Season Dates in Montana

Archery
September 4 – September 14

General 
September 15 – March 15

Trapping

Nov. 29 - March 15, 2022*

*These dates do not apply to the federally designated Grizzly Bear Recovery Zones in Montana. For these zones, the trapping season will start on Dec. 15 unless otherwise determined by FWP due to evidence the majority of bears in these areas have begun hibernation. 

FWP regulations state: "Persons can take up to 20 wolves with no more than 10 via hunting and no more than 10 via trapping (maximum harvest of 20 wolves per person). For hunting a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, only a Trapping License is required."

Hunters and trappers must call in their wolf take within 24 hours. 

4) For more information on hunting regulations 

5) To report a dead wolf or possible illegal activity: 

contact 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) or a local game warden.

Rick Lamplugh writes to protect wildlife and preserve wild lands. His award-winning books, In the Temple of Wolves; its sequel, Deep into Yellowstone; and its prequel, The Wilds of Aging are available signed. His books are also available unsigned or as eBook or audiobook on Amazon.

Photo of Yellowstone wolves by NPS