The wolf “recovery” program in the United States might officially be over now that the Trump Administration has moved to delist them. Deer, elk, moose and other wildlife managers have long lobbied for these efforts ever since wolf populations exceeded originally stated goals. The announcement was expected to be made today by Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in a conference held in Denver by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
With a thriving population and increasing conflicts with humans, the wolf is about to be managed like any other game animal. (Photo by Vagner Reis, gettyimages.com)
Current estimates place wolf populations at roughly 50,000, with more than 4,300 in the Upper Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan; 1,800 in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming; 250 in Oregon and Washington. Ontario is home to about 8,000 to 10,000 wolves. Alaska has about 11,000 wolves.
Viewer Discretion Advised: GRAPHIC VIDEO SHOWS WOLF KILLING BIG BUCK
Three years removed from hunting and trapping seasons, Wisconsin’s wolf population has pushed close to 1,000 animals. The state’s original plan was to have a hunting and trapping season when the population exceeded 250.
“This is encouraging news that should be applauded by both hunters, wildlife managers and conversationists,” said Daniel Schmidt, Deer & Deer Hunting’s Editor-in-Chief. “Make no mistake about it: We need wolves. Aldo Leopold taught us that. No one is questioning it. Yes, wolves have a place on the landscape, but they need to be managed with as much care (actually more) than any other wildlife species we have because of their standing as the apex predator on the landscape. The problem with this all along is the Feds turned their backs on the deal — anti-hunters and liberal lawmakers got further involved and the wolf population exploded. Here in Wisconsin alone,we have three times too many for the land’s socially acceptable carrying capacity. Reinstating real management plans will help us always have wolves, but never again too many.”
Related: A DEAL IS A DEAL: TIME TO MANAGE WOLVES
Related: CAN WOLVES, COYOTES AND DEER COEXIST?
Related: WOLVES CAUGHT ON CAMERA BEFORE KILLING BUCK
Related: KEEPING WOLVES ON ENDANGERED LIST IS FLAT-OUT WRONG
Photos: WOLVES KILL DOZENS OF SHEEP IN IDAHO
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