Wolves, once listed as an endangered species, could be a target for hunters under a bill pending in the Utah Senate.
SB22, sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen, R-Ogden, would allow the Division of Wildlife Resources to sell hunting licenses for wolves in the state, similar to the hunt for bears and cougars.
It is unclear whether there are any wolves in Utah and, if there are wolves, how many there are. There have been sightings reported around the state.
“Technically, there are none,” Christensen said. “But I’ve heard so many reports [that] there’s a pack down here and there’s a pack there and they’re ripping things up.”
But Christensen said he is getting pressure from sportsmen to go further.
“A lot of people want to put it in the classification of coyotes so you can shoot it on sight, anytime, anywhere,” Christensen said.
Don Peay, president of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, said Utah is trying to get “ahead of the curve” when it comes to controlling wolf populations.
“The federal government has failed to keep its word on anything in the last 20 years on the wolf issue and the wolf advocates more importantly violated their agreements to keep it to 150 animals in each state,” Peay said. “Until there’s some honesty and integrity, we don’t want any wolves.”