Wolf Delisting... we are trying again.

[hookset]

I hope it works this time...

News Releases

DNR files petition to have Minnesota gray wolf status reflect Minnesota reality

(Released March 17, 2010)

The Minnesota gray wolf should be removed immediately from the federal government’s endangered and threatened species list and returned to state management, according to a petition filed today by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR filed the petition with the Washington, D.C., office of the U.S. Department of the Interior and asked the government to make its decision within the next 90 days. The petition is a procedural step between state and federal natural resource conservation agencies.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has tried to delist the wolf in Minnesota and the western Great Lakes region from federal protection on two occasions. Both times the decision was overturned due to legal challenges related to procedural issues.

“We filed the petition because it is time to have the federal classification match the Minnesota reality,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. “Federal officials agree that the Minnesota gray wolf population is not threatened or endangered. They agree our wolf management plan ensures the long-term survival of the wolf. They have seen it in action during 2007 and 2008, when the wolves in the Great Lakes Region were delisted.”

The Endangered Species Act allows states to petition the federal government to delist a species. Holsten said the DNR is using this process on behalf of Minnesota citizens who should not have to wait for national wolf conservation issues to be resolved when our state’s population is clearly recovered.

“Today, with a fully recovered Minnesota gray wolf population, we are asking the federal government to delist the animal to ensure that scarce resources for federally endangered and threatened species can be directed to those species that truly need protection,” he added.

In its petition, the DNR asks that the FWS delist the species based on a 1978 federal classification that stated the Minnesota gray wolf was a separate species from other wolf populations in the lower 48 states.

The Minnesota gray wolf has recolonized portions of Wisconsin and Michigan, resulting in a regional population of about 4,000. The species achieved recovery in Minnesota as early as 1989, and is estimated at approximately 3,000. That is about twice what is required by the federal Eastern Timber Wolf Recovery Plan.

The fully recovered populations in Wisconsin and Michigan satisfy the federal government’s secondary criteria that at least one viable wolf population exists outside of Minnesota.

Human-wolf conflicts

A large part of modern wolf management is addressing human-wolf conflicts, according to the DNR. Since 1978, federal officials have trapped and euthanized more than 3,000 Minnesota wolves in response to depredation of domestic animals. Most of these incidents have involved cattle in the forested regions of central and northern Minnesota, and the problem seems to be growing.

Gene Hugoson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, said he supports the DNR’s petition because wolf depredation is a major problem for livestock producers in northern Minnesota.

“Since 1998, we have received more than 1,000 claims from producers who lost livestock to wolves, and Minnesota taxpayers have spent nearly a million dollars to compensate them for those losses,” said Hugoson. “We believe it is time for the state to have greater flexibility to manage this issue in a way that reflects reality in northern Minnesota.”

[hookset]

Since 1978 more then 3000 Minesota wolves have been killed by the government. Those could be trophys in someones man room. what a outrage and waste!!!

[goblueM]

i think that is a good move. they need to take it off the ESA - clearly they have recovered well past the goals set

doesn't make sense to keep it on the ESA. Fighting it just weakens the position of the environmentalist groups, in my opinion. Pick your battles, let the ESA be a succcess sometimes. There are other species FAR more in need than the wolf in the midwest

[ANYFISH2]

I am a self procalaim wolf advocate but it is time they are delisted in upper midwest. Populations are strong(maybe too strong in MN) and self supported, get them delisted so the state can manage them properly for Minnesota!

[Archerysniper]

Not to mention the money the taxpayers have shelled out to the farmers/livestock for the depredation wich is not a problem with me pay them back for what they have lost but with starting a hunt that number should start to shrink.

[Musky Buck]

No doubt, also the farmers that have these issues could spread the word to come to there farm(s) to help out. I found what I believe to be 3 wolf kills yesterday on deer, dad saw a wolf in our creek bottom a month ago, 1st career wolf sighting, I went to look for sheds, found the dead deer, I wasn't so sure the wolf's home range would establish an area south of HWY 10 but we got em in strong numbers now.

[Bear55]

I'm sending more your way Musky, lots more hungry wolves up north looking for a meal.

[Musky Buck]

Great, jk, my guess is why they have filtered in and are staying, decent deer numbers that the past few years were shrinking on their own. Also, a deer herd that has never seen wolves before. I know they don't or extremely rare they attack humans, but my cousin looking for sheds walked right up to a wolf unknowingly, when he got 20 yards away the wolf stood up and the hair on both my cousin and the wolf was standing on end. They had a stare off before my cousin retreated. I wish there were elk,moose,mulies,antelope etc. they could prey on, with primary forage being deer, anyway, stay tuned.

[mrklean]

i have said it before i would love to see a wolve season, the money people would pay to get a tag would far outweigh the money the govt payes to kill them off

[WaveWacker]

I think we all agree (the fed's included) that it's time to turn the wolf population in Mn back to a state management level. Only thing is that it's not going to happen until some judge get's enough b.... well, courage to tell the liberal animimal rights groups sorry, but we're not going to listen to you.

These people and those closely related in their overall beliefs is whats currently turning our country inside out and that's not in a good way (IMO), but that's a whole seperate topic.

[Musky Buck]

Hear that loud and clear WaveWacker. Anyone want to be like the Montana guy who dusted the first official wolf ? The hatemail, threats, phone calls, etc. At least they love thy brother and have compassion and understanding for all people. How do they sort out a wolf needs to kill other animals so taking some of the population will save many animals, how do they sort that out in their coconut's ? I actually know a rightist who hit and wounded a skunk with her car, did she haul it into the vet, not a chance. So it's only animal rights for the animal topic at hand for the moment. Man they need to look closely at their family tree, without life and death by animals, they'd not have life themselves. Please delist so we don't have to pay as often for depradation.