Protections for Idaho wolf populations could soon be in the hands of our state legislators. Acting U.S. Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt announced on Wednesday he is relinquishing protections of wolves across the lower forty eight states, stating that the wolf population has fully recovered.
In Idaho wolves are a sensitive subject. Hunting of the animals is already allowed in parts of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.
Since 2005, rules and restrictions have applied to the wolves in Idaho that resulted from the reintroduction in Central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. Environmental conservation groups say this announcement is a death sentence to an important predator in our area.
