Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Archived Information about Depredation Control in Michigan and Wisconsin

May 2006

In April 2003 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) changed the listing status for the gray wolf in the conterminous U.S. In addition to changes in ESA status, the 2003 Rule included Special Regulations under section 4(d) of the ESA to address control of depredating gray wolves. A January 31, 2005, ruling from the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, vacated and enjoined the Service's 2003 changes. The Oregon ruling concluded that the 2003 Distinct Population Segment boundaries and reclassification decisions were "arbitrary and capricious" and violated the Endangered Species Act. A subsequent ruling by the U.S. District Court for Vermont came to similar conclusions for the Eastern Distinct Population Segment.

The Oregon Court's ruling invalidated the April 2003 changes. Therefore, gray wolves in the conterminous states (except Minnesota where the gray wolf remains listed as threatened) and Mexico are once again endangered, except where they are listed as part of an Experimental Population for reintroduction purposes. Experimental Population Areas are found throughout Wyoming and in portions of Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Control of Depredating Wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan
After our 2003 reclassification of midwestern wolves was judicially overturned, States sought authority to kill depredating wolves. In April 2005 the Service issued limited subpermits providing this authority to Michigan and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources. In September 2005 the subpermits were enjoined by Federal District Court in Washington, DC, due to inadequate public notice of the States' applications.

After the subpermits were enjoined, the States applied for full permits to kill depredating wolves.

A permit has been issued to the Wisconsin DNR and the Michigan DNR

Wisconsin Wolf Depredation Control: Endangered Species Permit and Environmental Assessment

Michigan Wolf Depredation Control: Endangered Species Permit and Environmental Assessment

May 2006

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