Wyoming proposes trophy rule for wolf
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
January 6, 2008
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has proposed new regulations regarding the classification of wolves as a trophy game animal. Once adopted, the regulations would go into effect from and after the date gray wolves are removed from the list of experimental nonessential population, endangered species or threatened species in Wyoming.
The area where wolves would be classified as trophy game includes:"northwest Wyoming beginning at the junction of Wyoming Highway 120 and the Wyoming-Montana state line; southerly along Wyoming Highway 120 to the Greybull River; southwesterly up said river to the Wood River; southwesterly up said river to the Shoshone National Forest boundary; southerly along said boundary to the Wind River Indian Reservation boundary; westerly, then southerly along said boundary to the Continental Divide; southeasterly along said divide to the Middle Fork of Boulder Creek; westerly down said creek to Boulder Creek; westerly down said creek to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; northwesterly along said boundary to its intersection with U.S. Highway 189-191; northwesterly along said highway to the intersection with U.S. Highway 26-89-191; northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 22 in the town of Jackson; westerly along said highway to the Wyoming-Idaho state line; north along said state line to the Wyoming-Montana state line; north, then east along said state line to Wyoming Highway 120."
Within this trophy game area, WG&F "shall utilize aggressive management techniques including, but not limited to aerial hunting and hazing to protect private property including livestock and domesticated animals."
"Upon notification from any owner of chronic gray wolf predation to livestock or domesticated animals inside the WTGMA and with verification by the Department, the Department shall:
(i) issue a gray wolf lethal take permit to the owner;
(ii) authorize USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services personnel in accordance with a completed memorandum of understanding with the Commission to remove the offending gray wolf or wolves; and,
(iii) initiate lethal removal of the offending gray wolf or wolves by Department personnel."
Importantly, the regulation defines "Chronic wolf predation" as an area where gray wolves have repeatedly (twice or more) harassed, injured, maimed or killed livestock or domesticated animals.
Under the proposal, gray wolves may be lethally removed when the WG&F determines a wild ungulate herd may be experiencing unacceptable impacts or when wolf-wild ungulate conflict occur at any state-operated feedground.
Outside the trophy game area, wolves would be classified as predatory animals. The regulations propose "Gray wolves taken within the area where gray wolves are classified as predatory animals shall be reported by the individual taking any gray wolf to a district game warden, district wildlife biologist or Department personnel at a Game and Fish Regional Office. The individual taking a gray wolf shall provide the sex, location to include section, township, range or UTM coordinates and date of kill within ten (10) days of their take."
The regulations also require a wolf monitoring program consisting of a radio-collaring and tracking program.
To learn more about the proposed trophy game regulation, click on the link below.
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