Wyoming State takes over wolf management in two weeks

[Len Backus]

Friday, March 14, 2008 2:05 AM MDT

The state of Wyoming took another step Thursday in preparation for managing gray wolves, once their removal from federal endangered species protection goes into effect.

Wolves will officially lose protection under the federal Endangered Species Act March 28, and Wyoming will take over management of the canine that day, barring a legal injunction against the decision.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission adopted the Game and Fish Department’s proposed wolf management regulations at a meeting here Thursday, with one minor alteration.

The commission cleaned up language in the rule to make it explicit that people in the designated trophy game area can use lethal force to protect their pet dogs from wolves, in the same way they can protect livestock and other domesticated animals.

In order to fulfill statutes established in House Bill 213, in the 2007 state legislative session, the rule designates gray wolves in the northwest part of the state as trophy game animals, where the department will use "aggressive" methods for managing the population.

As of March 28, wolves living outside of the designated northwest region will be considered predators, and managed similarly to the way coyotes and mountain lions are.

The new rules also establish a program for compensating landowners and livestock owners for damage caused by wolves, including predation.

The state legislature recently approved $2.4 million in the biennium budget for the state’s wolf management program, and the Game and Fish Department has commenced hiring its wolf management staff, said Director Terry Cleveland.

Curt Bales, a ranch manager outside of Cody, told the commission he was concerned about the possibility that landowners and stock growers would be treated differently than the general public once hunting seasons are implemented.

It appears that hunters inside the trophy game area might be allowed to trap wolves, but stock growers will not, he said.

According to the rule, stock growers can kill wolves that are attacking or “harassing” livestock, but they have to use a legal firearm to make the kill.

“My main concern is about the tools you’re going to allow us to use to protect our livestock,” Bales said. “I really think it’s important that you allow us to have those tools.”

Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association said while he is supportive of the new rule, he shares Bales’ concerns.

Cleveland said if hunting rules do indeed allow trapping, it would seem reasonable to allow private landowners in the same areas to trap wolves, as well, although it is still premature to say whether the department will allow any trapping or snaring of wolves.

Montana has decided it will not initially allow trapping or snaring of the animals as part of its hunting seasons, Cleveland noted.

The Wyoming Game and Fish department plans on bringing wolf hunting and trapping regulations before the commission in July, Game and Fish official Scott Talbott said.