Members of Congress Want Wolves off Endangered List

There is new legislation being introduced by several members of Congress to remove wolves from the endangered species list in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Wyoming.

There was a recent court decision to block the four states from allowing hunting and trapping of wolves. The states were issuing a limited number of licenses to hunt and trap for sport and predator control.  Several farmers in the Upper Peninsula have had issues with wolves killing farm animals and family pets.The charge is being lead by Wisconsin Congressman Reid Ribble, and it is being co-sponsored by Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson.

In 2011 a similar situation happened in Idaho and Montana.  Congress voted to lift the federal protection of wolves in those states after environmentalists blocked efforts made by pro hunting groups in the courts.

The group looking to lift protection in Michigan is using a strategy that mirrors the one that worked in Idaho and Montana.