Wyoming Final Wolf Plan

Wyoming is unique in that it contains yellostone which is federally managed and the Park is commited to having free roaming wolf packs.  the following is the summary of the Wyoming Wolf Plan.  It sounds like a pretty good plan to me.

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    http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/wildlife_management/wolf/

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                          EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission/Department (Commission)(Department) will implement the following management plan for gray wolves upon delisting by the Federal government.  The purpose of this plan is to establish guidelines for wolf management in Wyoming that will provide for a sustainable wolf population, while minimizing wolf/human conflicts.  This plan, although it varies in specific circumstances, is compatible with management plans in Idaho and Montana.  Population objectives are similar for all 3 states and, as such, should guarantee that the federal recovery criteria established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are met and maintained after delisting.  The Department is the appropriate agency to assume management authority of wolves following delisting.  The Commission is the appropriate authority to determine the classification of gray wolves.  Both willingly recognize and will assume that responsibility.  Key elements of this management plan include the following: 

Ø     According to Wyoming Statute 23-1-304 and interpretation of said statute by the Wyoming Attorney Generals Office, Wyoming will commit to maintaining at least 15 packs of wolves statewide including the National Parks, Parkway, National Elk Refuge and potentially the Wind River Indian Reservation.  Of these 15 packs, 7 packs will be maintained outside the National Parks and Parkway.  Since the State of Wyoming has no control over the management of wildlife in the National Parks, the State can only commit to the 7 pack objective outside the National Parks and Parkway.

Ø      Wolves will be managed under dual classification of trophy game animal and predatory animal.  Initially wolves will be trophy game animals in the National Parks, Parkway, and contiguous wilderness areas (Absaroka-Beartooth, North Absaroka, Washakie, Teton, Jedediah Smith, Winegar Hole, and Gros Ventre).  They will be classified as predatory animals in the remainder of the state.  The Department will be responsible for monitoring wolves statewide regardless of classification.

 Ø      If the number of wolf packs outside the National Parks and Parkway falls to 7 or below, trophy game classification will be expanded beyond the contiguous wilderness areas to include a larger area known as the Northwest Wyoming Wolf Data Analysis Unit (DAU) (expanded trophy game status area) that will consist of 3 Wolf Management Units (WMU) (Figure 3).  This classification will be reviewed as warranted every 90 days.  A change back to predatory animal status will occur in all or part of the DAU only if the Commission determines circumstances have changed sufficiently that 7 packs can be maintained outside the National Parks and Parkway with a smaller DAU.  In essence the DAU will increase or decrease in size based on number of packs present and Commission determination of adequate regulatory mechanisms in place to ensure wolf pack management objectives will be maintained.  Wolves outside the DAU will be classified as predatory animals.  The Department will collect necessary population status information on those wolves classified as predatory animals but will not manage nuisance conflicts outside the DAU.

 Ø      Appropriate population data and management objectives will be assessed at the DAU level.  Wolf Management Units will be established that encompass known packs and they will be used to regulate public take on specific packs to assure that DAU objectives are maintained.  The Department also commits to implementing an appropriate monitoring program to assure that management objectives can be met. 

Ø      Because management protocols hinge on the number of packs outside the National Park and Parkway, the Department must have the capability to collect important biological information from wolves that are taken by the public.  Simple location of kill information is not adequate.  Age, sex, and other information must be obtained if the Department is to accurately assess the impact of take upon management objectives.  As a result, all skulls and pelts of wolves that are taken by the public, regardless of their classification, must be presented to a Department employee within 10 days so that necessary data can be obtained.

Ø      Nuisance wolves will be managed using a variety of techniques designed to minimize conflicts between wolves and humans.  The Department will enter into a cooperative agreement with Wildlife Services (WS), which will assist the Department in managing conflicts between wolves and livestock.  The Department will only address conflicts and compensate for lost livestock in the area where wolves are classified as trophy game animals.  Property owners will be allowed to take wolves in the act of causing damage to private property. 

Ø      Interactions between wolves and wildlife will be closely monitored, especially on State elk feedgrounds. As needed, management actions will be taken to minimize impacts while ensuring that 7 packs are maintained in Wyoming outside the National Parks and Parkway.

Ø      A progressive public Information and Education program will be developed and implemented by the Department.  This program will use a multifaceted approach to educate Wyoming’s publics on all aspects of wolf management.

Ø      The Department will use a variety of potential sources to secure funds to implement the management program for wolves.  The potential cost of the management program will ultimately depend on the complexity of the monitoring program, the number and degree of wolf/human conflicts in areas where wolves are trophy game animals, and the area occupied by wolves long-term.

Ø      Wolves can cause negative economic impacts at the site-specific level (specific landowners or drainages for ungulates).  If the number of packs can be maintained near current levels, the potential economic impacts for all occupied areas should be manageable.  If not, management actions will be taken to minimize impacts while ensuring that 7 packs are maintained in Wyoming outside the National Parks and Parkway.

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