Wolf hunting has minimal impact on livestock protection, study finds
Legal wolf hunting in western US states protects just 7% of a single cow per wolf killed, a new study finds.
Why it matters
- Wolf hunting has limited effectiveness in preventing livestock loss.
- Finding effective management tools for ranchers is crucial.
By the numbers
- Killing 14 wolves saves about one cow.
- Current wolf populations: ~1,100 in Montana, ~1,200 in Idaho.
- In 2024, Montana hunters killed 297 wolves, but ranchers still lost 62 livestock animals to wolves.
The big picture
- Public hunts don't reduce the need for wildlife agencies to intervene.
- Wolf hunting remains a contentious issue with ongoing legal disputes.
What they're saying
- Some suggest alternative methods like using guardian dogs.
- Others believe the issue is about public grazing land access.
Caveats
- The study focuses on data from Montana and Idaho compared to Oregon and Washington.
- Researchers emphasize their findings are not about debating wolf hunting but about finding effective management tools.
What’s next
- Further research on alternative livestock protection methods.
- Continued debate and legal disputes over wolf hunting policies.