Wyoming proposes wolf regulations
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – Draft regulations proposed by the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish would allow ranchers to kill gray wolves that prey on livestock while wildlife managers could kill wolves that try to take elk on state feed grounds.
The draft regulations announced yesterday (Friday) don’t mention establishing a sport hunting season for wolves in the state. Eric Keszler, spokesman for the game department, says officials plan to set hunting seasons in the spring.
The proposed regulations would apply only to the northwest corner of the state, where wolves would be considered trophy game animals. Wolves in the rest of the state would be classified as predators that could be shot on sight.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to remove wolves in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho from protections under the federal Threatened and Endangered Species Act by March. That would turn responsibility for wolf management over to the states. However, some conservation groups have threatened lawsuits that could delay the process.