In a decision that should come as a welcome relief to hunters, the United States Court of Appeals has finally removed Wyoming’s wolves from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Wolf management is now in the hands of the state.

This is a major victory for wildlife management in Wyoming. Federal protections were originally lifted in 2011 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service determined that ESA listing was no longer necessary. But in 2014, against the recommendations of biologists and wildlife managers, activist pressure and a federal judge’s decision returned wolves to Federal protection.

Finally, six years since they were originally deemed recovered, science has prevailed over emotional outcry and Wolf management is now under Wyoming’s control.

In most parts of the state wolves will be managed as a predator like coyotes, and can be harvested on site. In the Trophy Game Management Area of northwest Wyoming where the majority of Wyoming’s wolves reside, hunting seasons will eventually be re-established.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is currently responsible for managing Wyoming wildlife like deer, elk, antelope, mountain lions, bison, black bears and more. Regaining the ability to manage wolves in context with the rest of Wyoming’s wildlife and habitat resources will prove to be a major benefit. No longer run without regard to local circumstance by Washington bureaucrats, all of Wyoming’s wildlife is poised to benefit from this change.

For more information on wolf management in Wyoming, please visit the Game and Fish Department website.