COMMENTS ARE OPEN FOR WOLF HUNTING SEASON SETTING IN WYOMING
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is proposing to increase wolf hunting quotas as part of its management strategy, yet this move runs counter to sound ecological science and the state’s urgent need to address the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Wolves play a critical role in maintaining the health of elk and deer populations by naturally culling the weak, sick, and old animals—precisely the ones most susceptible to spreading diseases like CWD. By removing wolves, the state disrupts this natural regulation, allowing diseased animals to survive longer and spread infection more widely, particularly on artificial winter feedgrounds where high densities of elk exacerbate transmission. Instead of reducing wolf numbers, the Department should be supporting intact predator-prey systems as a frontline defense against CWD, rather than relying solely on human hunting, which is less selective and far less effective in targeting diseased individuals, especially when elk with CWD can take up to a year or more to show outward signs and symptoms of CWD.
We are also never given a chance to comment at commission meetings about killing and hunting of wolves as part of the bigger picture of larger management of wolves. Instead, we are only given a brief chance to talk about the season setting quotas of wolf hunts. There is no discussion about revisiting wolves’ predatory status in 85% of the state nor is there discussion about backing off on wolf hunting so that predators can assist with curbing the spread of CWD.
READ MORE FROM WYOFILE HERE AND HERE
HOW TO COMMENT
Click the link below to comment to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. The Commissioners are the ultimate decision makers on setting seasons and quotas for hunting. Please also request that the quota in hunt areas 8, 9, 10, 11 NOT BE INCREASED TO 19. There is a new wolf pack that has inhabited the National Elk Refuge and Gros Ventre Mountains. The local tour operators have been able to take people to see these wolves. This is an important piece of our economy. If that wolf pack is killed, that opportunity will ceases to exist. To date, the 2024 wolf report from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has not been released. This is the first time in recent history that wolf hunting season setting comments have been collected before the wolf report from the previous year has been published. The report in years prior has been out usually before May 1. It is difficult to know the complete picture of wolves in Wyoming without this information. Comments are due before 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 10.
