The 06 Legacy
Dedicated to protecting America's gray wolves through education, awareness, and electing pro-wolf candidates to office
Protect America's Wolves
When wolf management falls under state control, the result is often deadly. Aggressive policies trigger extensive killing, endangering not only the wolves but also the ecosystems they help maintain.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin law requires an annual wolf hunt whenever federal protections are removed. During the brief delisting of wolves in the lower 48 states by the Trump administration, Wisconsin held a trophy hunt that coincided with the wolves' breeding season. Over just three days, hunters killed 218 wolves, almost double the intended quota, with many using dogs to track and corner the wolves for an easier kill. Nearly half of the wolves killed were females, potentially pregnant during the breeding season, and potentially affecting future generations.
WYOMING
Under an agreement to lift federal protections, Wyoming pledged to sustain at least 100 wolves and 10 breeding pairs in the trophy hunting zone. At the end of 2022, the state reported just 12 breeding pairs, barely above the minimum. Wyoming's goal is to keep its wolf population slightly above the endangered status threshold.
In the rest of Wyoming, covering 85% of the state, wolves can be killed by any means, at any time, without a license. This unregulated killing is designed to limit their population and distribution. Wolves can even be chased and run over by snowmobiles. A bill outlawing this practice was resoundingly defeated in the state legislature.
IDAHO
In 2021, Idaho passed Senate Bill 1211 aiming to reduce the state's wolf population from an estimated 1,500 to just 150. It removed most regulations, seasons, and limits on the number of wolves each hunter could kill. The use of night-vision gear, snowmobiles, and ATVs to kill wolves is allowed. The bill also introduced financial incentives to encourage the killing of wolves, offering up to $2,500 as bounties for each wolf killed and provisions for hiring private contractors to conduct aerial shootings​
In 2023, a six-year wolf management plan was adopted aiming to reduce the state's wolf population from about 1,300 wolves to roughly 500. This plan was adopted despite widespread public comment in opposition and concerns that the state's estimates of the wolf population may be exaggerated.
MONTANA
In 2021, Montana passed several bills aiming to reduce the state's wolf population. Hunters are allowed to use snares, night-vision gear, spotlights on private lands, and baiting, along with an extending the trapping season. Each hunter is allowed to kill up to 20 wolves, 10 via hunting and 10 via trapping. Hunting and trapping is incentivized by allowing for the reimbursement of costs incurred with each wolf killed.
Yellowstone National Park is recognized globally for the wolf research conducted there. Yet, park wolves venturing into Montana can be hunted or trapped just like the state’s resident wolves. During the 2021-2022 hunting season, 23 wolves from Yellowstone were killed in Montana—amounting to roughly 20% of the park's wolf population.
Elect to Protect Wolves
Some elected officials support protecting wolves, while others push for managing wolf populations at the state level, leaving wolves vulnerable to hunting and trapping. Where do your elected officials stand?
What state do you live in?
Learn about wolves
Understand the challenges they face and why protection is crucial
Meet "06"
The tragic death of this legendary Yellowstone alpha female inspired a global movement. Her legacy lives on as we fight to secure a safe future for wolves, wherever they roam.
The 06 Story
