A federal court ruling out of Missoula this week may have serious ripple effects for wolf populations across the West, including in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and here in Wyoming.
On August 5, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) when it denied federal protections to gray wolves across the Western U.S. The ruling vacates FWS’s February 2024 decision, forcing the agency to go back to the drawing board and take the science seriously this time.
What Did the Court Say?
In short: The FWS blew it.
According to Judge Molloy, the agency ignored its own experts, failed to use the best available science, and brushed off critical threats to wolves like genetic isolation, shrinking range, and aggressive state management practices. The court also scolded the agency for unlawfully deferring to state policies in places like Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, where wolf killing is not exactly rare.
As a result, the court ordered FWS to reassess whether wolves in the West (particularly the Northern Rockies population) should be re-listed under the ESA.
Why Does This Mean for Wyoming?
Because we’re in the thick of it. Wyoming is one of the three states (along with Idaho and Montana) that received control of wolf management after federal delisting in 2011. That means Yellowstone and Grand Teton wolves often wander into a state-run system that allows predator designation and liberal kill zones in many areas.
If the FWS decides to reinstate ESA protections, it could mean:
- Federal oversight returns for wolves across Wyoming, limiting state hunts and requiring stronger protections.
- Increased conservation within Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, where wolves are already protected but rely on broader regional populations for genetic diversity and ecological balance.
- A shift in public land policy and predator management, possibly affecting hunting, ranching, and wildlife tourism around the parks.
What’s Next? The FWS Must Reassess (Properly This Time)
This court decision doesn’t automatically relist wolves. It simply says: try again, and do it right.
Here’s what we can expect from the FWS in the coming months:
- Status Review – The agency must collect updated scientific data on wolf populations, connectivity, threats, and recovery potential.
- Proposed Rule & Public Comments – If the science supports listing, FWS will publish a proposed rule and allow time for public feedback.
- Final Determination – A 12-month finding will follow. That decision could relist wolves fully or partially, or maintain the status quo.
- Emergency Protections? – If immediate danger to wolves is found (say, due to aggressive hunting seasons), the agency can enact a temporary 240-day emergency listing.
Meanwhile, the States (Including Wyoming) Carry On
Until federal protections are restored, wolves remain under state management. Wyoming continues to treat wolves as predators in most areas outside the Trophy Game Management Zone. Meaning they can be shot on sight year-round in about 85% of the state.
That said, this ruling may put pressure on state agencies and lawmakers to reevaluate those policies, especially as national attention returns to the fate of wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Why This Matters for Everyone — Not Just Wildlife Lovers
Wolves aren’t just a symbol of wilderness; they’re critical to ecosystem health. In Yellowstone, their return in the mid-1990s helped rebalance elk populations, restore streamside vegetation, and even improve conditions for songbirds and beavers. It’s the kind of cascading effect scientists refer to as a “trophic cascade.”
In short: no wolves, no balance.
What to Watch
- FWS Timeline: Will the agency fast-track the review? Or drag its feet under political pressure?
- Emergency Actions: Will activists push for a temporary relisting this fall?
- Congressional Interference: Some lawmakers have previously tried to remove ESA protections through legislation. That could happen again.
Final Thoughts….
This ruling is a big deal. It calls out the federal government for prioritizing politics over science and opens the door for renewed protections for wolves across the West, including here in Wyoming.
While nothing is changing immediately, the road ahead could reshape how wolves are treated in our state and in the iconic national parks many of us call our backyard.
Stay tuned — Antlers Arch will be watching closely.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
