WISCONSIN

Wisconsin law requires an annual wolf hunt whenever federal protections are removed. During the brief delisting of wolves in the lower 48 states by the Trump administration, Wisconsin held a trophy hunt that coincided with the wolves' breeding season.

Over just three days, hunters killed 218 wolves, almost double the intended quota, with many using dogs to track and corner the wolves for an easier kill. Nearly half of the wolves killed were females, potentially pregnant during the breeding season, and potentially affecting future generations.

WYOMING

When federal protections for wolves were lifted in Wyoming, the state agreed to maintain at least 100 wolves and 10 breeding pairs within the trophy hunting zone. At the end of 2022, the state reported just 12 breeding pairs, barely meeting the minimum requirement of 10. Wyoming's wolf management policies aim to keep the population just above the threshold that prevents their return to endangered status., thereby limiting growth and recovery.

In the remaining 85% of Wyoming, known as the "Predator Zone," wolves can be killed by any means, at any time, without a license. There, wolf hunting season never ends. Wolves can be harassed, pursued, hunted, shot, or killed using any machine, including snowmobiles. Hunters can chase wolves until exhaustion and run them over for an easy kill. A bill attempting to outlaw this practice, known as "snowmobile whacking," was resoundingly defeated in the state legislature. Because of these lenient policies, few wolves that disperse into the Predator Zone make it as far south as Colorado, necessitating a reintroduction of wolves there.
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In early 2024, a deeply disturbing incident of animal cruelty towards a wolf occurred in Wyoming. A man ran over a yearling wolf with his snowmobile in an area where Wyoming manages wolves as predators, which allows for virtually unregulated killing. The severely injured wolf was transported to a local bar in Daniel, Wyoming​, with its mouth taped shut. 

At the Green River Bar, the wolf was paraded around, photographed, and further tormented as it lay bleeding and struggling to stay conscious. Eyewitnesses reported that patrons were petting and taking pictures with the gravely injured animal. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigated the incident following an anonymous tip. Despite the severity of the cruelty, the man responsible was only fined $250 for the illegal possession of live wildlife, as current state laws in the predator zone did not specifically prohibit his actions​. 

This incident has sparked widespread condemnation, leading to calls for stricter regulations and protections for wolves in Wyoming. The state's lenient policies on wolf management and the predator zone's lack of restrictions contribute to such acts of cruelty​.

Idaho

In 2021, Idaho passed Senate Bill 1211 aiming to reduce the state's wolf population from an estimated 1,500 to just 150. It removed most regulations, seasons, and limits on the number of wolves each hunter could kill. The use of night-vision gear, snowmobiles, and ATVs to kill wolves is allowed. The bill also introduced financial incentives to encourage the killing of wolves, offering up to $2,500 as bounties for each wolf killed and provisions for hiring private contractors to conduct aerial shootings​.

In 2023, a six-year wolf management plan was adopted aiming to reduce the state's wolf population from about 1,300 wolves to roughly 500. This plan was adopted despite widespread public comment in opposition and concerns that the state's estimates of the wolf population may be exaggerated.

Montana

In 2021, Montana passed several bills aiming to reduce the state's wolf population. Hunters are allowed to use snares, night-vision gear, spotlights on private lands, and baiting, along with an extending the trapping season. Each hunter is allowed to kill up to 20 wolves, 10 via hunting and 10 via trapping. Hunting and trapping is incentivized by allowing for the reimbursement of costs incurred with each wolf killed.


Yellowstone National Park is recognized globally for the wolf research conducted there. Yet, park wolves venturing into Montana can be hunted or trapped just like the state’s resident wolves. During the 2021-2022 hunting season, 23 wolves from Yellowstone were killed in Montana—amounting to roughly 20% of the park's wolf population.

Discover how your elected officials stand on gray wolf protection and learn effective ways you can contribute to their preservation. Take action now by checking your representatives' positions and exploring various support options.