As a direct result of gray wolves being taken off the Endangered Species List, they are once again being exterminated in the Northern Rockies. To summarize, Idaho passed legislation that took effect on July 1, 2021, that relaxed hunting and trapping rules and redirected funding from the state's Department of Fish and Game to hire professional exterminators to kill up to 90% of the state's wolves in all developmental stages. Moreover, on August 19, 2021, the state of Montana approved an increased quota for hunters to kill 40% of the state's wolves, which could be accomplished through a variety of previously outlawed methods, such as baiting those from Yellowstone and killing them after they cross the border onto state land. 

While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to conduct a year-long review beginning in September of 2021 of Idaho and Montana’s recently enacted laws that call for the afore-stated killing of up to 90% of their wolves to see if they are seriously threatening the wolves' long-term survival, wolf populations in the Northern Rockies, as well as in the rest of the contiguous United States, may very well be reduced to a fraction of their prior size and genetic diversity within that same year.

To combat this, it is desired that the hunts be put on pause. A similar situation regarding over-hunting occurred with grizzly bears being killed and petitioners were able to enact a hold in 1991 until the review was completed. This indicates that if we make enough noise, policymakers could eventually reach the same conclusion about them before their population dwindles beyond recovery.

So please consider taking action to enact a hold on upcoming wolf hunts and help the US Fish and Wildlife Service re-list gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act to prevent their eradication in states that are unable or unwilling to manage their wolves sustainably.

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