Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Hunting News

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delists Wyoming Grey Wolves and Returns Management to the State

Friday, May 5, 2017

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delists Wyoming Grey Wolves and Returns Management to the State

For years, the NRA has been working to ensure that sound wildlife management practices implemented by the states, and not federal politics, govern the control of wolf populations in the United States. 

Anti-hunting groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, have been on the other side of this issue. They know that excessive wolf predation of elk, deer and moose reduces hunting opportunities in the American Northwest. Fewer opportunities to hunt mean fewer hunters, which is key to their long-term goal of eradicating America’s outdoor sporting traditions. 

During the mid-1990s, dozens of wolves from Canada were released into Yellowstone Park and Idaho under the auspices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which had included grey wolves on the list of Endangered and Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The FWS’s Wolf Recovery Plan sought to establish minimum breeding pairs in three different zones, at which point the wolves would be delisted from the ESA and managed by the states. 

The wolves quickly exceeded established population targets, but anti-hunting groups challenged their delisting in court. The NRA, Safari Club International, and other pro-hunting organizations gained intervenor status in these suits to help vindicate the scientific management of the wolves through state fish and wildlife agencies. While Idaho and Montana regained authority to manage wolves within their borders, Wyoming was blocked from doing so by a 2014 federal district court decision.

In March, a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned the earlier decision that rejected the delisting of the Wyoming grey wolf. The decision in that case, Defenders of Wildlife v. Zinke, vindicated the states’ ability to properly manage their wolf populations. In Wyoming, this includes authorization for relatively unconstrained hunting in a designated “predator area” that does not constitute a significant portion of the wolves’ range in order to reduce the wolves’ conflicts with humans, including livestock predation. The court also noted that two years after wolves were delisted in Idaho and Montana, their populations remained many times larger than the states’ designated minimums. 

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead hailed the Circuit court’s decision in a statement posted to Wyoming Game & Fish Department website. “I am delighted that the Circuit Court recognized Wyoming’s commitment to manage a recovered wolf population,” Governor Mead stated.

On Monday, the FWS acted on the court’s decision by publishing a final rule that delists the grey wolf in Wyoming from the ESA and returns their management to the state. 

The NRA is pleased to see this long-running controversy resolved favorably and is proud to have played a role in ensuring that radical attempts to eliminate hunting and diminish state authority over wildlife management were defeated.

TRENDING NOW
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

NRA and 2A Allies Announce NFA Lawsuit

Monday, July 7, 2025

NRA and 2A Allies Announce NFA Lawsuit

Following the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—which eliminates the National Firearms Act of 1934’s (NFA) excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs—the National Rifle Association issued a joint statement along with the ...

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

News  

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill contained a provision that would, among other things, eliminate the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed by federal law on suppressors, short-barreled firearms, ...

United Nation’s Attack on Ammunition Formally Begins

News  

Monday, July 7, 2025

United Nation’s Attack on Ammunition Formally Begins

The recently concluded negotiations on the United Nations’ Global Framework on Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management (Framework) should be of grave concern to anyone who values the constitutional protections afforded by the Second Amendment. 

U.K. Embarks on Fresh Knife Amnesty, Reminds Americans Why 1776 was a Good Idea

News  

Monday, July 7, 2025

U.K. Embarks on Fresh Knife Amnesty, Reminds Americans Why 1776 was a Good Idea

It has been a while since we’ve looked at weapon news from across the pond, but with Americans everywhere having just celebrated the Glorious Fourth and our independence from British monarchy, the timing seems particular ...

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

News  

Friday, July 4, 2025

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

Earlier today, on the 4th of July, a day on which our Founding Fathers declared their intent for a free nation, the President of the United State of America, Donald Trump, signed the “One Big ...

Maine: Public University Professor Belittles Student for 2A and Religious Views

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Maine: Public University Professor Belittles Student for 2A and Religious Views

Maine's public education system has recently faced national scrutiny, and it appears things are only getting worse, not better, in the Pine Tree State. 

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

Thursday, July 10, 2025

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

Pennsylvania: Governor Signs Legislation Lifting Sunday Hunting Restrictions

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Pennsylvania: Governor Signs Legislation Lifting Sunday Hunting Restrictions

On Wednesday, July 9, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1431, lifting restrictions on Sunday hunting and bringing Pennsylvania in line with the vast majority of states.     

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.