AUGUST 2025

First, it is important to apologize for the long delay between newsletters. We are all volunteers and unfortunately, "life happenings" got in our way. But we are here, working hard as ever to insure protections for wolves, other wildlife and wild places.

APPROPRIATIONS BILL

As an advocate, I am sure you are receiving information from organizations around the country. So what is happening in Congress?

The Appropriations Bill does not yet have a bill number. It has been referred to as FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill (and similar names as well). There are two versions, one in the US House, the other in the US Senate each working on their own version. The House version has already passed in Committee.

The House and Senate will be negotiated and resolve their differences. It then needs 60 votes in the Senate to pass. If a deal isn't reached and signed by the President, the government shuts down.

POISON PILL RIDERS

These riders are only in the House version. Link to the BILL But if you would rather not read the entire 208 pages, Below is the list of the FY 26 Interior Appropriations Bill riders that passed in Committee.

Call your US House of Representative to oppose these riders; Say these riders do not represent you as their constituent. Ask they pass a clean bill without these damaging riders.

FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

FOR MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF EACH RIDER

Species should not be delisted through legislation; We should not be denied our Democratic right to appeal decisions

Section 128 – Removes Protections for the Gray Wolf Nationwide (and no judicial review)
Section 147 - Delists the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population of Grizzly Bears

Protecting species and the environment should be based on the best available scientific data not through legislation.

Section 130 – Blocks the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Ecosystem Reintroduction Plan
Section 131 – Blocks Bitterroot Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Reintroduction
Section 129 – Blocks Protections for Wolverines
Section 132 – Exemption for Captive Fish Under the Endangered Species Act
Section 502 - Blocks Protections for Texas Freshwater Mussels
Section 116 - Blocks Protections for the Sage-Grouse
Section 126 – Blocks Protections for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Section 127 – Blocks Increased Protections for Northern Long-Eared Bats
Section 133 - Blocks the introduction of American bison to the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
Section 134 – Blocks Revisions to Harmful Endangered Species Act Regulations
Section 138 – Consultation Exemptions for Land Management Plans
Section 136 – Blocks the Bureau of Land Management Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
Section 117 – Blocks Multistate Sagebrush Habitat Protection Plan
Section 137 – Blocks Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Section 503 - Blocks Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Expansion
Section 125 – Prevents Agencies from Regulating Lead Ammunition and Tackle
Section 435 - Prevents Agencies from Regulating Lead Content of Ammunition and Tackle

WE CAN STOP THESE RIDERS BUT ONLY IF YOU TAKE ACTION NOW WITH A SIMPLE CALL TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND SAY YOU OPPOSE THE RIDERS ATTACHED TO THE FY 26 INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL. IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN ADD MORE TO YOUR MESSAGE. GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO CALL TOO! BE AN ADVOCATE FOR WOLVES, BEARS, BATS, BISON, WOLVERINES, THE ESA, RAPTERS THAT CONSUME LEAD, OUR NATIONAL MONUMENTS AND OUR PUBLIC LANDS!

MONTANA

MONTANA WOLVES NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet August 21. On the agenda is the Fall/Winter Wolf Trapping and Hunting Quota.

There isn't much time. The public comment period will run through August 4, 2025, with final action taken at the August 21 commission meeting.

The proposal includes raising the kill quota from 334 to 500 wolves which represents about half the state’s population. They also propose eliminating regional quotas and instead implementing a single statewide quota. This aggressive population control is based on myths, fear and the desire of the vocal minority who simply want to kill wolves for trophy not science.

3 Ways to comment:

Online commenting ends August 4, 2025 Click to go to the meeting page . Scroll

down to Fall 2025–Winter 2026 Furbearer and Wolf Trapping and Hunting Seasons and Quotas

You can comment during the meeting or at any FWP Regional Office throughout the state.

The commission will accept comments virtually (zoom) during the meeting and will likely be limited to 1-2 minutes and you MUST register in advance. The link to register will not be available until August 6 and will close August 20 CLICK TO REGISTER (Scroll down again to the wolf quota agenda item)

TALKING POINTS

Killing 500 wolves is irresponsible and will likely bring down the population below minimum requirements.
The Commission should maintain regional quotas instead of a statewide quota.
Because of their economic, ecological and intrinsic value to the region, the wolves of Yellowstone should have a measure of protection with a limit of one in WMU’s 313 & 316 (which is the lowest quota allowed by legislation.)
Under no circumstances should a single person be able to kill 30 wolves. Individual quotas must be reduced. Even last year (10 via hunting and 10 via trapping) was excessive but 30 is unconscionable.

THANK YOU!

Without YOU, our loyal supporters, the National Wolfwatcher Coalition would not exist. We are appreciative of your support throughout the past years and look forward to your continued support in the future!

For the latest scientific information, please visit OUR WEBSITE and while there, you can shop at OUR STORE

www.wolfwatcher.org

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