Post by DocHolladay on Feb 9, 2007 14:30:45 GMT -5
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that it plans within the next month to remove gray wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin from the federal endangered and threatened species list. State and tribal governments would then become responsible for keeping their numbers at healthy levels. The USFWS says it also hopes to take the same action on gray wolf populations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming within the next year.
As part of the delisting process, the USFWS will continue to monitor gray wolf populations in these states for 5 years after they’re removed from the federally protected species list and can return them to the list on an emergency basis if deemed necessary.
States and tribes are currently developing management plans for dealing with issues such as whether to allow hunting seasons on wolves and how to handle livestock depredation. Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin wouldn’t be allowed to hold hunting seasons on gray wolves for at least 5 years, while Idaho’s governor has already said he would push for an immediate hunting season to help reduce his state’s gray wolf population. To that end, shortly after the USFWS’ announcement last week the Idaho Fish and Game Commission initially set the price of a gray wolf hunting license at $9.75 for residents and $150 for nonresidents in anticipation of the animal’s removal from the list of protected species. Those permit prices would be in addition to a required general state hunting license, which is $12.75 for residents and $141.50 for nonresidents.
And in Montana, a state Senate committee also unanimously endorsed legislation last week that would create a statewide hunting season on wolves and grizzly bears as soon as the animals are removed from federal protection. The bill was introduced by Sen. Joe Balyeat (R-MT) and is being supported by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. It now goes to the Montana Senate floor for further debate.
Wyoming is also requesting greater authority to allow killing gray wolves to protect livestock and wildlife within the state.
For more information on this story, visit www.fws.gov.
www.huntingclub.com/Hunting/Newsletter_Folder/Newsletters/Week_of_2-7-07/USFWS_To_Take_Gray_Wolves_Off_Endangered_Species_List.asp?cstid=000746204698
As part of the delisting process, the USFWS will continue to monitor gray wolf populations in these states for 5 years after they’re removed from the federally protected species list and can return them to the list on an emergency basis if deemed necessary.
States and tribes are currently developing management plans for dealing with issues such as whether to allow hunting seasons on wolves and how to handle livestock depredation. Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin wouldn’t be allowed to hold hunting seasons on gray wolves for at least 5 years, while Idaho’s governor has already said he would push for an immediate hunting season to help reduce his state’s gray wolf population. To that end, shortly after the USFWS’ announcement last week the Idaho Fish and Game Commission initially set the price of a gray wolf hunting license at $9.75 for residents and $150 for nonresidents in anticipation of the animal’s removal from the list of protected species. Those permit prices would be in addition to a required general state hunting license, which is $12.75 for residents and $141.50 for nonresidents.
And in Montana, a state Senate committee also unanimously endorsed legislation last week that would create a statewide hunting season on wolves and grizzly bears as soon as the animals are removed from federal protection. The bill was introduced by Sen. Joe Balyeat (R-MT) and is being supported by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. It now goes to the Montana Senate floor for further debate.
Wyoming is also requesting greater authority to allow killing gray wolves to protect livestock and wildlife within the state.
For more information on this story, visit www.fws.gov.
www.huntingclub.com/Hunting/Newsletter_Folder/Newsletters/Week_of_2-7-07/USFWS_To_Take_Gray_Wolves_Off_Endangered_Species_List.asp?cstid=000746204698
wolves just like man looks for the easy kill............ the young...... the old..... the week.......... the only 6x6 that a pack of wolves could bring down would be one that was up to it's flanks in drift snow.