Killing for Trophy

Most People Disagree with Trophy Hunting

Despite the fact that only a small percentage of Americans hunt, trophy killing continues to pose a significant threat to wolf populations. Unlike subsistence hunting, which aims to provide food, trophy hunters kill wolves for the sake of displaying their pelts and heads. This practice not only takes the lives of these majestic creatures but also destabilizes ecosystems where wolves play a critical role.

Origins of Trophy Hunting

Hunting big game animals in America became popular as a so-called "sport" in the late 1800’s. The thought was to target older males—the trophy animals—and trophy hunting was born.

Environmental awareness and legislation

Beginning in the 1960s, there was a growing awareness of ecological and conservation issues. President Nixon made the environment a cornerstone of his presidency. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 passed with strong bipartisan support—unanimously in the Senate and by a vote of 355-4 in the House. Strict federal protections under the ESA and a successful reintroduction allowed the gray wolf species to begin a slow recovery.

8-Mile pack wolf pups; Dan Stahler; June 2013/NPS Photo

Delisting

Although wolves are far from from full recovery, the federal protections that kept wolves safe have been removed in some states through a process called delisting. Once a wolf population is delisted from under the ESA, wolves within the geographical boundary no longer receive federal protections. Instead, individual states take over control of their wolf populations, but they have considerable leeway.

Wolves are very resourceful. All they need is for people not to shoot them.

— Bob Ferris, Conservationist

From federal protection to mass-killing

The "management" decisions made by state governments and politically appointed wildlife commissions determine wolves' fate. Unfortunately, state legislatures often cater to special interest groups by passing regressive pro-trophy hunting bills that overlook wolves' intrinsic and ecological role. The farming and ranching industries rationalize anti-wolf policies as the price for threatening livestock. Others push the false narrative that if not for wolves, then more deer and elk would be available for hunters.

Wolves as trophies

Trophy hunting poses a significant threat to wolves. This practice not only disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems but also undermines the vital role wolves play in maintaining healthy wildlife populations. Instead of valuing wolves for their ecological contributions, they are often reduced to mere symbols of conquest and decoration, not sustenance. Killing for the sake of displaying the heads or fur pelts of wolves as trophies is a tragic waste of life.

Mark Miller Wildlife Imagery/Alamy Stock

How Can This Be Legal?

According to 2020 data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, less than 5% of the U.S. population are hunters. Most Americans value wildlife and are against anti-wolf policies, yet the vocal minority is dictating wolf policy for the majority of us. This is one of the many reasons why we must elect candidates who will support protecting wolves.

In 2021, Montana and Idaho passed controversial new wolf management laws that removed most restrictions on wolf hunting. Trophy hunters are allowed to kill wolves in a myriad of ways and get reimbursement—like the bounties placed on the head of every dead wolf hundreds of years ago. In Wisconsin's first wolf hunt after federal ESA protections were removed, hunters massacred about 21% of the state's 2020 estimated wolf population. In Wyoming, wolves are classified as vermin across 85% of the state and can be shot-on-sight, year-round, no hunting license required.

Idaho

In a recent 12-month period, 570 wolves were killed in Idaho, including at least 35 wolf pups, some weighing under 16 pounds and likely only 4-6 weeks old. Some of the wolves died in traps of hypothermia and some had shattered teeth from trying to escape.

• Hunters and private contractors can kill up to 90% of Idaho's wolves
• Few limits to how many wolves a hunter can kill
• Wolves can be killed 11-12 months per year depending on location
• Bounties of $1,000 to $2,500 per wolf
• Baiting
• Night spotlights and hunting
• Neck snaring (cable nooses that slowly suffocate an animal)
• Shooting from ATV’s, snowmobiles, airplanes and helicopters

Montana

In the 2021 Montana legislative session, lasting just ninety days, legislators passed a series of bills designed to reduce the state’s wolf population by as much as 85%. Wildlife managers authorized a myriad of options for hunters and trappers to kill wolves, including eliminating quotas in the area bordering Yellowstone National Park — which made it open season on park wolves venturing into Montana.

• A hunter can kill up to 20 wolves legally (10 via hunting and 10 via trapping)
• Reimbursement of costs related to the hunting or trapping of wolves
• Baiting
• Night vision and hunting
• Baiting
• Night spotlights and hunting
• Neck snaring (cable nooses that slowly suffocate an animal)
• Extension of the wolf trapping season by 4 weeks

Wyoming

Across most of Wyoming, the wolf hunting season never ends. Draconian laws allow year-round, unlimited, and unregulated wolf killing in the so-called Predator Zone covering 85% of the state. Hunters are allowed to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, or kill wolves from or by use of any machine in the air or on the ground. Hunters can chase wolves on snowmobiles until exhaustion and run them over for an easy kill. The state legislature overwhelmingly defeated a bill in 2019 to outlaw this practice known as “snowmobile whacking”. For obvious reasons, few wolves that disperse into the expansive Predator Zone make it as far south as Colorado, which is why a reintroduction of wolves there is necessary.

Wisconsin

Effective Jan. 4, 2021, gray wolves were delisted nationally. In a Wisconsin state wolf hunt scheduled for Feb. 22-28, 2021:

• Hunters killed 218 wolves in under 3 days
• 99 more wolves were killed than the statewide quota allowed
• Hunters used hunting dogs to chase down 86% of the wolves killed
• Hunt occurred during prime gray wolf breeding season
• Pregnant or nursing females likely killed

The politically appointed Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (Board) approved a quota of up to 300 additional wolves to be hunted just six-months later. The fall hunt was challenged in court by a coalition of wildlife groups and blocked when a judge granted a temporary injunction. Six Native American tribes also filed a lawsuit in federal court asserting that the hunt violates their treaty rights and endangers an animal they consider sacred. In February 2022, federal ESA protections were restored for gray wolves nationwide. Wisconsin wolves are safe from legal hunting—at least for now.

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

— Marie Curie

A Call to Protect

It is essential to shift the perspective on wolves from being targets for trophy hunting to being recognized as integral components of our environment. Protecting wolves ensures the health and stability of ecosystems and prevents the unnecessary suffering and death of these majestic animals. Together, we can help save America's gray wolves.