Comments on Wyoming Gray Wolf Management Plan

Subject:  Comments on Wyoming Gray Wolf Management Plan

After attending a recent meeting [August 2011]in Cheyenne regarding new regulations pertaining to wolves in Wyoming, I feel something better than what was explained about the current proposal can be presented.  People on all sides of the topic have valid points, and the best proposal needs to open-mindedly consider all points of view and then choose the best direction to follow.  Ideally, I would not want any wolf allowed to be killed, but that is not realistic because of specific problems that do and will continue to arise that cannot (or should not) be ignored.  In trying to balance something "fair" all around, I have come up with five aspects needing recognition and below have stated my proposed legislation for each:

First of all, the urgency for wolf control needs to be examined.  Unlike rapid population growth of rats and rabbits, wolf population does not increase very quickly.  Population increases in the summer due to new pups; but their survival rate is low, and about 25% of adult wolves die each year.

Proposal:  Calculate "true" wolf population based on what it is in late winter to provide a realistic knowledge of how large or small the wolf population in Wyoming is in any given year. 

Secondly, a very small pack of wolves can cause a lot of predatory damage, regardless of whether or not the total wolf population at the time is high or low.  Obviously, there needs to be a floor for the number of wolves Wyoming actually wants to keep in existence, but what about a ceiling?  Is one even initially necessary?  A line needs defining above which hunting is allowed and to what extent (number of kills per hunter).  Along with this, penalties for not being licensed and for killing over the allowed limit must be clearly stated and executed.

Proposal:  Because of number of factors can impact wolf population, a review is to be taken every three years to determine its rate of growth or decline.  If decreasing, the wolf hunting season can be shortened and/or the number of kills per hunter lessened.  In extreme declines, hunting wolf should be forbidden except in defense of aggressive attack.  Penalties for violations should be the same for other hunted animals.

Thirdly, who is hunting and for what purpose must be examined.  Non-Wyoming residents or property owners have no stake in nor concern for Wyoming's well being.  As with any wildlife, population must be controlled when it increases to the point of being dangerous -- causing accidents, spreading disease, or aggression.

Proposal:  The law for hunting wolf should be the same as Wyoming's law for hunting deer.  The only differences can be in the length of the hunting season and the number killed per hunter.

Fourthly, being a capitalistic nation, what is the best overall economic strategy?  How much economically will Wyoming gain from insiders and outsiders killing Wyoming wolves simply for sport and "show?"  Income spent by wolf hunters will likely be small compared with the income that could be brought in by offering wolf-populated tourist attractions to the thousands of people who enjoy and want to observe wolves, often times repeatedly so.  The tourists is the audience that will pump more spread-out income into Wyoming's restaurants, hotels, stores, and entertainment centers, as well as the wolf parks themselves, due to entire families who will come likely stay for a longer visit.

Proposal:  No non-Wyoming resident is allowed to hunt wolf.  The State of Wyoming and private land owners may, in accordance with State legislation, provide areas for tourists to observe wolves.  Managers of these areas must abide by State safety and health codes, and the areas are to be routinely inspected by a State-approved inspector as frequently as the State determines is reasonable and sensible.

Lastly, potential victims of assault must be protected.  If wolves are attacking or attempting to attack livestock, pets, or people, a person has the right to use legal means to protect the victimized animal or person.

Proposal:  An owner or legally-designated caretaker of livestock may set up barriers (fences, poison traps, etc.) to keep wolves from harming or killing his/her livestock or otherwise intruding on the recognized-as-protected property.  Owners and caretakers have the right to shoot on sight any wolf posing a threat to any livestock, pet, or person on his/her designated property.  Any person in Wyoming needing to defend himself/herself or a pet from a direct wolf attack has the right to use any means available to do so as long as it does not endanger another human being.

Maeke Ermarth © September 2011

       Cheyenne, WY