Wolf hunting opens up this weekend in Wyoming for the first time since 2013. That’s after the state regained management of the animals.
Wyoming had wolf hunting seasons in 2012 and 2013 but environmentalists protested the state’s management plan of wolves. A judge agreed, prompting a halt to the hunts and a long legal battle.
Idaho and Montana already have wolf hunting seasons.
This year, a federal appeals court gave Wyoming control of their wolves once again. That opened up the ability for the state to hold hunts.
The season opens Sunday and will run through December in the northwest part of the state. No hunting will be allowed in Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says up to 44 wolves can be killed this year. There are around 380 wolves in the state. Wyoming plans to keep at least 100 animals, or 10 breeding pairs, alive, outside of the national parks. Environmentalists are worried that the state won’t keep enough wolves alive to maintain a viable population.
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