Norton plan gives states more leeway with wolves
By SONJA LEE
Tribune Staff Writer
Secretary of Interior Gale Norton wants to allow some Montana and Idaho livestock owners to kill wolves that harass livestock, despite the wolves “threatened” status.
Citing the need for more management flexibility, Norton also would give the states the authority to shoot wolves that have “unacceptable impacts” on deer or elk herds.
Norton on Wednesday announced the proposed changes.
A year ago, the wolf was downlisted from “endangered” to “threatened” in northwestern Montana. The change in status provides ranchers in the area with more options in dealing with problem wolves that attack livestock, guard animals and dogs.
The change applies to wolf populations in southwestern Montana, which remain classified as “experimental, nonessential.” Landowners in those areas will have even more flexibility than those in northwestern Montana where wolves are considered natural and still under federal management.
Based on the new proposed management rules, state fish and game departments could kill wolves in southwestern Montana that kill too many elk and deer. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state Fish, Wildlife & Parks would work together to define an unacceptable impact.
Public hunting of wolves would not be allowed.
Under existing management rules, a landowner can shoot a wolf if it is “grasping or biting” a horse, mule, cow or sheep.
Based on Norton’s proposed change, landowners in southwestern Montana could shoot a wolf that is “chasing or harassing” livestock and the animals that guard herds from predators.
However, there has to be evidence that a wolf is causing a problem, for example, tracks showing a wolf is chasing an animal, said Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
“This isn’t an open license to shoot any wolf on your property,” he said.
Most stockgrowers and sportsmen applaud the proposed changes. Some conservation groups, however, are apprehensive about allowing wolves to be killed.
“I think it’s a real positive step that they are taking in realizing that wolves impact a great number of producers,” said Jay Bodner, natural resource coordinator for the Montana Stockgrowers Association.
While the increased flexibility is appreciated, most officials also agree that the end goal is to delist the wolves. When the wolf is no longer on the Endangered Species List, states will be able to manage wolf populations based on their own individual plans.
The delisting process has been delayed because Wyoming has not yet come up with a federally accepted wolf management plan.
Both Montana and Idaho have submitted management plans providing assurances that wolf populations will be maintained. But Wyoming’s plan, which allows wolves to be killed in some areas with little restriction, is inadequate. All three states must have federally accepted plans before wolves are taken off the Endangered Species Act list.
In 1995 when wolves were reintroduced in the Northern Rockies, officials predicted the population would grow to about 406 wolves by 2004, Norton said. There are currently 770 wolves in the three western states.
Norton said the long-term goal is to delist the wolf, but the proposed interim option gives Montana and Idaho increased local management.
Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, in a telephone conference call, thanked Norton and said the administration is “making the Endangered Species Act work.”
Montana Gov. Judy Martz also applauded the decision. She stressed the importance of making sure federal money continues to flow to the states that are managing wolf populations.
“We still need to work on the funding to do this,” she said.
Bodner also said stockgrowers across Montana are pushing for a full delisting. He said ranchers in northwestern and southwestern Montana should have the same latitude in handling problem wolves.
“We are always looking at these wolves as a complete population,” he said.
In December wolves killed seven sheep on Bob Weber’s Paradise Valley ranch. Weber was issued a permit to kill wolves that come back to his property.
“The problem with that is we never saw that wolf again,” he said.
He said changing rules for when a wolf can be shot doesn’t make a big difference. He said he would like to see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service simply step up and start paying for the losses.
The conservation group Defenders of Wildlife offer reimbursements for wolf and grizzly bear kills.
David Gaillard, program associate for the Predator Conservation Alliance, said the organization supports state management of the gray wolf. Allowing a more timely response to conflicts also is important, he said.
“We are willing to trust Montana and Idaho to responsibly manage wolves,” he said.
While a full written version of Norton’s proposal has not yet been placed on the Federal Register, Gaillard said the tone of the announcement should have been more balanced. Management needs to focus not only on handling conflicts but also on protecting a long-term wolf population.
Gaillard also said he is apprehensive about the Interior Department’s proposal.
“We fear more wolves will be killed because of real or just perceived conflicts,” he said.
Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, said the announcement is good news.
He said wolves are having a negative impact on wildlife and hunting opportunities.
Although no state has made the request, wolves who are harming wildlife populations, under the current management rules, can be moved to another area. With the new proposal, wolves could be killed.
“I think it’s a big step in the right direction,” Marbut said. “It’s a breath of fresh air for Montana to get some management authority over wolves related to populations of huntable wildlife.”