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FEBRUARY 2023

HR 764 INTRODUCED

On February 3, 2023, US RepresentativesTom Tiffany and Lauren Boebert reintroduced the Trust the Science Act

The Bill has 22 co-sponsors and if passed, would require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Ironically, it is not based on science or the principles of democracy as the final rule will not be subject to judicial review.

While this bill may stall as a "stand-alone" in today's political climate it is possible that it gets attached as a rider to the debt ceiling or other budget bill. We will be watching!

Call or write your representative asking them to oppose HR 764 by simply stating that wildlife should not be managed through legislation. Click to Find Contact Information for your Representative

Other Talking Points:

Weather and habitat loss, not wolves have the greatest impact on ungulate populations

Wolves pose little risk to humans

Wolf / Livestock conflicts are low

PHOTO CREDIT STEPHANIE PERRY

WISCONSIN WOLF PLAN

COMMENTS DUE BY FEBRUARY 28, 2023

There is still time to comment on Wisconsin's Wolf Plan and you do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to do so

Remember to SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS. It is easy! The Wisconsin DNR is essentially asking what you like and dislike about the plan. You do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to comment. A one-page GUIDE has been developed to assist you.

You can also submit questions and comments to [email protected]

photo credit: Tristan Adler

ALASKA NATIONAL PRESERVES

COMMENTS DUE BY MARCH 10, 2023

(11:59 PM MOUNTAIN TIME)

The National Park Service has proposed reininstating Obama-era rules which banned predator reduction efforts on Alaska preserves.

The proposed changes would not affect federal subsistence harvests in national parks and preserves only hunting for sport.

If enacted, the ruling would prevent the taking of:

• Black bears, including cubs and sows with cubs, with artificial light at den sites.

• Black bears and brown bears using bait.

• Wolves and coyotes, including pups, during the denning season.

• Swimming caribou.

• Caribou from traveling motorboats.

National preserves belong to all of us. Submit comments in support of the proposed changes.

photo credit Stephanie Perry

COLORADO PLAN OPEN FOR COMMENT

UNTIL 2/22/23

Wolves are scheduled to be released into Colorado by the end of the year. The intent of Proposition 114 is a self-sustaining population of wolves, as a non-game species, at the optimum carrying capacity of the habitat, with a requirement for conflict prevention and compensation programs, funded by the state legislature.

You do not need to be a Colorado resident to comment on the Wolf Plan . The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project has summarized each chapter of the plan so that you can form your own comments.

HOW TO COMMENT

Talking Points

The plan needs to be strengthened.:

The plan must explicitly close the door on any future wolf hunting by underscoring the fact the Colorado's highest legislative body, the electors of Colorado, classified wolves as the "nongame wildlife of the species Canis lupus." Such classification meant that voters clearly intended to prevent sport hunting of wolves in perpetuity. Surveys show that most Coloradans not only support wolf restoration, but they oppose trophy hunting and trapping of wolves.
The plan fails to fully address the legal requirement to "assist owners of livestock in preventing and resolving conflicts between gray wolves and livestock." The plan must clearly outline non-lethal deterrents and animal husbandry practices that the agency will use and encourage ranchers to use as the first line of defense to minimize conflicts between wolves and livestock.
The plan should clearly tie receipt of compensation, after an initial incident, to implementing conflict reduction tools and strategies to prevent further depredation.
Wolves are an essential aspect of our western heritage, and beyond their intrinsic value, are worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the people of Colorado.

Colorado residents: Attend a public meeting near you to speak on behalf of Colorado's wolves. At the meeting, ask the Commissioners to adopt a wolf plan based on science and ethical coexistence. Draft your testimony using the talking points above. Plan to keep your testimony under 2-3 minutes. Upcoming meetings (click the linked location below for more details on a specific meeting):

February 16 - Virtual (registration form here)

February 22 - Denver - In-person only

PHOTO CREDIT TRISTEN ALDER

ATTENTION WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENTS

House Bill 1698 has been introduced and has bi-partisan support. This bill providing "flexibility" for the department of fish and wildlife to collaborate with local governments to manage gray wolves and overrides science-based wildlife management by giving county officials undue influence over endangered wildlife. TALKING POINTS FOR HB 1698

Click here to Comment (Washington residents only)

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!

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