Wolf Weekly Wrap-up

A brief history of wolves

Part 1 of “A history of American wolves” from George Ostrom at Hungry Horse News reminds us how far we come since the days of wolf eradication. He digs through old records that show there were once as many as 300,000 wolves in Montana alone as recently as 1860. Then between 1870 and 1877, an estimated 100,000 wolf hides moved through the trading posts at Fort Benton once fur trapping came en vogue. The first wolf bounty law was passed in 1883 after ranchers starting moving out west in large numbers, and the following year, 5,450 wolf pelts were turned in for a dollar a piece. These startling numbers help put today’s current estimated population of 1,600 wolves across the entire Northern Rockies in perspective.

Wyoming wolf plan moves forward

Wyoming’s shoot-on-sight wolf plan got approval this week from a state legislative committee, bringing wolves there one step closer to delisting. The full legislature is expected to vote on the plan in February while the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service continues to finalize its proposed delisting rule. The plan, as currently written, would allow wolves across nearly 90 percent of Wyoming to be killed at any time by any means. The remaining portion of the state encompassing the greater Yellowstone ecosystem would be designated a trophy game management area where wolves could still be killed with a hunting license.

 Wolf coexistence goes national

The New York Times ran a feature story last weekend that highlighted the efforts of some of our colleagues to promote wolf coexistence. Defenders pioneered these efforts more than 15 years ago to help ranchers come up with better ways to protect their livestock from wolves, and it remains our top priority in the Northern Rockies today. It’s great to see that more conservation groups are getting involved with this important work since there’s more demand than resources available. However, the long-term success of these efforts will rely on increased funding from the federal government. We should be doubling down on nonlethal deterrents instead of paying Wildlife Services millions of tax dollars each year to kill these important native predators.

Spokane shows strong wolf support

Thanks again to all the wolf supporters who showed up for last week’s final meeting on the Washington wolf recovery plan in Spokane, Washington. More than 60 people testified before the state Fish and Game Commission, with well over half speaking out in favor of the plan. Among the wolf supporters was long-time Defenders supporter and President’s Council member Melinda Hirsch who drove over from Seattle to voice her support. Thanks Melinda! The commission is expected to make a final decision on the plan next month.