Proposal to delist wolves praised, panned at hearing

CODY, Wyo. — Several hundred people packed a meeting hall here Thursday for one last highly charged public hearing on the federal government's proposal to take wolves in the Northern Rockies off the endangered species list.

The sometimes-raucous crowd tilted heavily in favor of removing federal protections for the animals.

One speaker told federal moderators to "take your wolves back to Canada." Another wore a vest embroidered with the message, "Why does a wolf howl? Because it feels the bullet."

But others warned that the move was premature and said there are still too few wolves to ensure long-term survival — particularly given the strong local sentiment behind killing wolves to curb wildlife and livestock losses.

Thursday's hearing was the last of seven on a proposal that would allow the public hunting of wolves for the first time in decades. It drew participants from hundreds of miles away.

An estimated 1,300 wolves now roam central Idaho, northwest Wyoming and western Montana more than a decade after they were first reintroduced to the region.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says that figure is more than four times the number of wolves needed to consider removing a species from federal protections. The agency is proposing turning over wolf management to state wildlife officials. Each state would be required to maintain a minimum of 100 wolves including 10 breeding pairs.

Many speakers on Thursday said they were frustrated by the growing possibility that Wyoming could be left out of that program, due to a lingering impasse between state and federal officials over Wyoming's management plan. If delisting in Wyoming is delayed, speakers on Thursday warned that wolves would continue to prey on the livestock and wildlife that many ranchers and outfitters depend on.

Cody resident Bob Carter said he moved to the area 12 years ago for its hunting opportunities but now is watching those opportunities "decline every day of every year" because of wolves.

Rancher Linda Herman said a pack that had recently moved onto her family's property had already killed cattle and the family could do little in response. She asked for the government to "give us back some control" by allowing hunting of the animals.

"Do not penalize us for trying to make a living on the very land that we own," she said.