** Biden administration to consider wolf protections as states ramp up hunting
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Thursday, September 16, 2021
Gray wolf | Eric Kilby ([link removed])

On Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would reconsider whether gray wolves deserve protection ([link removed]) under the Endangered Species Act. The move comes after the Trump administration removed federal protections, allowing states around the West to implement hunting quotas that significantly reduce wolf populations.

In Idaho, lawmakers passed legislation allowing the killing of up to 90% of wolves in the state ([link removed]) . The measure expanded approved hunting methods to allow chasing wolves with ATVs and using night vision goggles after dark. Additionally, new funding is available to hire professional hunters to cull wolves, including from helicopters.

In Montana, wildlife officials recently approved quotas that could allow up to 40% of the state's wolf population to be killed ([link removed]) and approved the use of previously outlawed hunting methods, such as baiting and night hunting. State lawmakers also passed legislation to pay hunters for their expenses in killing a wolf ([link removed]) , reminiscent of bounties that helped exterminate wolves from the West decades ago. Earlier this year, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte received a written warning from wildlife officials ([link removed]) for personally trapping and killing a wolf near Yellowstone National Park without first completing the state's mandated trapper
education course.

In Wisconsin, hunters blew past official quotas this spring, killing 216 wolves in just four days ([link removed]) , requiring wildlife managers to end the hunting season early. State officials estimated that roughly 90% of hunters used dogs to chase down wolves and said fresh snow made it easier to track them.

The announcement of a review by the Fish and Wildlife Service comes as dozens of Native American tribes asked ([link removed]) the Biden administration to enact emergency protections for gray wolves. Andrea Zaccardi, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that petitioned federal wildlife managers for the review, noted the urgency of emergency protections, saying ([link removed]) , "we are concerned that a lot of wolves could be wiped out while undertaking a year-long review."
Quick hits


** For many Coloradans, the impacts of climate change are here now
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Rising temperatures could have major impacts on when and how much people get outdoors on public lands
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Phys.org ([link removed])


** Popular app AllTrails leading people to sacred sites, some on tribal lands
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Source NM ([link removed])


** A race against time as potash mining decimates Bonneville Salt Flats
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Deseret News ([link removed])


** COVID hitting wildland firefighting crews harder than previous year
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PEW Stateline ([link removed])


** Governments falling far short of Paris climate pledges, study finds
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The Guardian ([link removed])


** Gray wolves may need Endangered Species Act protections after states expand hunting, says Biden admin
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Rep. Boebert seeks to block BLM headquarters move back to DC with amendment
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Durango Herald ([link removed])
Quote of the day

Last year, I actually was incredibly, pleasantly surprised by how little COVID it seemed like we had. I did not hear of whole [fire] crews going down, right and left. I’m hearing that this year.”
—Melissa Baumann ([link removed]) , president of the National Federation of Federal Employees Forest Service Couoncil
Picture this


** @KatmaiNPS ([link removed])
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This bear has been practicing the over-the-shoulder pose for his Fat Bear Week (FBW) glamour shot! The annual competition is only two weeks away! Join us during FBW (Sept 29-Oct 5) to make your pick for 2021’s plump champion at [link removed] ([link removed]) . Photo courtesy of S. Gage

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