In some states, there are plans for a wolf hunting season (Photo courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Some states plan to let people hunt wolves. Rebecca Williams reports that’s happening because the US government is taking gray wolves off the federal endangered species list in two places:
Transcript
Some states plan to let people hunt wolves. Rebecca Williams reports that’s happening because the US government is taking gray wolves off the federal endangered species list in two places:
This decision means states in the western Great Lakes and several Rocky Mountain states will have control over wolves.
Some states are calling wolves a protected nongame species.
For example in Michigan, a wolf can only be killed if it’s attacking people, pets or livestock. But in other states – like Idaho and Montana – there are plans for a hunting season for wolves.
Jonathan Lovvorn is chief counsel for the Humane Society of the United States. His group and several others are planning to sue.
“Essentially what we’re worried about is that this is basically going to be a declaration of open season on animals that have been protected for decades.”
The federal decision to take wolves off the endangered species list could be overturned in court. That happened last fall.
If the decision sticks, then the Fish and Wildlife Service will be keeping an eye on wolf populations for at least the next five years.
For The Environment Report, I’m Rebecca Williams.