Federal officials have denied petitions to restore endangered species protections to gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Conservation groups are threatening to sue over the decision.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains no longer constitute a distinct population from wolves in other western states, so they don’t need their own protections.
The agency said the population at large is not at risk of extinction, even under a “substantial increase” of hunting in Idaho and Montana.
Kristine Ackland is a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, one of dozens of conservation groups that petitioned the service to relist wolves. She said federal officials improperly minimize hunting risks faced by the northern Rockies population.
“Their analysis basically dilutes the status in the northern Rocky Mountains,” Ackland said.
A number of conservation groups released statements that they’re considering further legal action in the wake of the decision.
The Fish and Wildlife Service also announced that it will draft a National Recovery Plan for gray wolves by December 2025.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Wolf trapping season has been shortened in most of western Montana. But for some regions, the area where traps can be set has grown. The changes were made in response to a court decision that found wolf trapping threatens grizzly bears. -
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released proposed regulations for the 2024-2025 wolf trapping season. West central Montana hunters enjoyed a robust start to the big game general hunting season this weekend. -
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released proposed regulations for the 2024-2025 wolf trapping season. The draft is available for public comment from now until November 12.
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State wildlife officials have set regulations for the upcoming wolf hunting season. -
Hunting conservation groups requesting to intervene in ongoing litigation over relisting wolves.
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The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld much of a decision to temporarily shorten Montana’s wolf trapping and snaring seasons to protect grizzly bears.
