From U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation:

Wolf Delisting Decision a Big Win for Sportsmen

(Columbus, Ohio) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that gray wolf populations in the Western Great Lakes region have exceeded recovery goals and should no longer be protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Once official, this move will return wolves to state management in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and some portions of adjoining states.

In an even bigger victory for sportsmen, the Service also announced that it has reversed its previous view that two wolf species exist in the Western Great Lakes region. This previous stance by the Service, that two separate wolf species were present in the region, could have easily derailed any delisting of the wolves. The announcement recognized that the scientific evidence submitted during the comment period was crucial in reversing its position. In July and September, the USSAF submitted extensive comments supported by wolf and genetics expert Dr. Lisette Waits refuting the two wolf theory.

A two wolf position, which was not based on leading research, could have led to additional lawsuits from animal rights organizations aimed at preventing wolves from being returned to state management.

“This announcement is a major victory for sportsmen, conservation, and wildlife management,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation senior vice president. “We applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their decision to recognize the scientific facts regarding wolves in the Great Lakes region. This is how the Endangered Species Act is supposed to be implemented. When animal populations recover, those species should be removed from the list and returned to state management. This has been a long, hard fought battle and is not likely over as we expect the animal rights lobby to turn to the courts to stop the delisting. We will be ready.”

Wolf populations have far exceeded recovery goals and have become an increasing threat to other wildlife, livestock, and hunting and other dogs.

The delisting rule will become effective 30 days after it has been published in the Federal Register. Official publication in the Federal Register is expected to take place next week.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has been on the front lines working to ensure that wolves in the Western Great Lakes region were removed from the ESA and rightfully returned to state management.

In May of 2010, the USSAF and its partners petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist wolves in the Western Great Lakes region. After the Service failed to respond to the request as required by law, USSAF notified the Service that if it did not act on the wolf petition USSAF and our partners would file a lawsuit. Subsequently, the Service started the delisting process which led to today’s announcement of its intent to delist gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes region. Joining the USSAF in these efforts are the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Dairyland Committee of Safari Club International Chapters of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition, Whitetails of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Firearms Owners, Rangers, Clubs, and Educators, Inc.

Good news hopefully next fall we can have a season.

Good deal lets hope it sticks this time.

Christmas came a few days early! This is great news!

We all know the Wisconsin DNR is going phuck this up so bad it won't even be funny. Figure at least three years of study to develop a management plan. Maybe we can hire a wolf czar. A year or two of arguing over how many wolves there are in the state. The will come to the conclusion of a population estimate that is at least half the real number. Throw in the lawsuits from the treehugging bunnyphucking nutjobs and it will be at least five to seven years before we see any kind of wolf hunt. Then we will need to hire a lawyer to explain the regulations before we go out to hunt. That is if we actually can get a permit without waiting ten years or so. You know it will be a limited draw permit. A over the counter permit with season closure when a quota is hit works so well in other states. As such the WDNR will be sure not to base a wolf hunt on a proven system. Shot shovel and shutup is so much simpler.

More:

Officials Praise Delisting

Folks, if there is any delay or serious hitch in a wolf season, it won't come from the DNR. They have been working on a wolf management plan for years and have only been waiting for the legal authority to implement it. It might be a bit much to expect a hunting season next fall, but if the de-listing is not held up yet again problem animals, at least, can be more efficiently dealt with right away. If we don't have wolf hunting next fall I suspect it will only be because DNR and the governor will decide that it is best from a PR standpoint to get the public at large used to the idea.

Excellent.

One step closer to a lower 48 eradication.

Oops, I meant, aw, screw it, that's what I'd love to see.

Parvo is our only hope. Ron

"Parvo is our only hope."

I agree but you'd better be careful of what you wish for. If something like the Parvo virus shows up wolves would go back to endangered status and there goes any chance of managment for the next 50 years.

Here's something I've been thinking about. Although the official term is "reindroduction," in reality the wolves in the West are an artificially introduced invasive species. The population explosion of this exotic intruder brings with it the very real possibility of a disease outbreak. We can only hope that if this happens they get wiped out quickly.

Well one thing they should do is open Coyote back up during the Deer season.Dang thats a big Yote!!!!

This is great news! In our 4 weeks of hunting this past season we had a VERY large male marking his spot along the logging road every night. That spot was only 50 yards away. I got to see him 2 times and he was not afraid at all.

My Dad also had an encounter with a pair of wolves only 10 yards from him as he was hunting on the ground! His only cover was a felled tree and brush around him. I guess our cover scent and all the work we do to remove our scent worked.

Every night we had what sounded like 10+ wolves howl in the area. We heard reports of how many wolves were in the area from other hunters as well.

Here is some info from MN DNR

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/wolves/mgmt.html

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/wolves/mgmt.html

not sure if these will work but lets give er a go.