Comments are now open for mountain lion and wolf hunting in Wyoming

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.

SIERRA CLUB OUTING SATURDAY, JUNE 7

BIKE THE NATIONAL ELK REFUGE

Saturday, June 7

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join Sierra Club Wyoming for a leisurely bike ride along the National Elk Refuge road. Upon our return to town, follow us to May Park and enjoy a picnic lunch with Sierra Club organizers and Wyoming Wildlife Advocates. A limited number of complimentary bike rentals are available through Teton Mountain Bike Tours. Please contact Kelsey Yarzab Yates (kelsey.yarzabyates@sierraclub.org) to confirm availability. Registration is required ahead of time. Click below to register for the ride.

WYOMING WANTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MOUNTAIN LIONS THAT CAN BE KILLED

For the 2025 hunting season, Wyoming wants to increase the quota of mountain lions that can be legally killed. The main reason the state continues to kill mountain lions is to reduce the effect they have on deer and elk. However, scientific evidence does not support the idea that killing more mountain lions leads to healthier ungulate herds. In fact, studies show that reducing lion numbers often has little to no long-term benefit for deer and elk populations, which are more affected by factors like habitat loss, harsh winters, and disease. Moreover, increased hunting disrupts the complex social structure of mountain lions, leading to a rise in younger, transient males who are more likely to cause conflicts with humans and livestock. Rather than solving wildlife management issues, increasing mountain lion kills undermines ecological balance and creates new problems. This is especially irresponsible in light of the growing prevalence rates of chronic wasting disease in both deer and elk herds across the state.

Here is what the WGFD wants to do with the new mountain lion seasons:

• Raise the quota by 11 lions
• One region along the Nebraska/Wyoming state line will go from 12 lion quota to UNLIMITED
• MNIMIMUM of 374 lions will be able to be killed
• Resident hunters can kill 20 lions each! Non-residents can take 4 lions
• Eight hunting units will have UNLIMITED quotas
• These numbers are in addition to lions that can be killed by livestock owners

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 ask that they not increase the quotas and not increase hunt area 25 to an unlimited amount. You may want to mention that mountain lions are one of our best defenses against chronic wasting disease in elk and deer populations.

HOGS FOR HOPE IS JUST ONE WEEK AWAY!

June 12-15, 2025

Hogs for Hope 2, a ride in honor of Hope the wolf, will meet in Green River on June 13 and the next morning will leave at 7:30 am to ride through Daniel to Jackson Hole. If you would like to meet in Jackson and head south with a caravan of others, please send an email to kristin@wyowild.org and let me know. Meeting at Albertson’s parking lot that morning in Jackson at 7:30 am.

Keep up to date on all the action on Instagram

@WyomingWildlifeAdvocates

@Jonas.Black

ORDER YOUR HOGS FOR HOPE 2 APPAREL

Incredible image created by L. Saxon Yakely!

ROAM EARTH CO. COLLABORATION

Roam Earth Co. is proud to announce a partnership with Wyoming Wildlife Advocates!

From Roam: protecting nature is just as important as exploring it. Starting now, 5% of every purchase goes directly toward preserving wildlife and wild places in Wyoming. Let’s roam responsibly and give back to the earth we love.

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ROAM EARTH CO WEBSITE

Photo Credits:

Wolf: Tristan Alder

National Elk Refuge: National Elk Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Mountain Lion: Cat Wood @silkycoyote

Roam Earth Co Partnership: Roam Earth Co.