OLYMPIA – The Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to downgrade the state listing of wolves from endangered to sensitive when it meets virtually Friday, July 19.
The meeting is scheduled to run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and will be aired on TVW. The wolf discussion is planned for 10:15 a.m.
The discussion on downgrading the state listing stems from a state Department of Fish and Wildlife finding that gray wolves no longer meet the criteria to be considered endangered.
Down-listing would not mean wolf management rules would change.
“The anticipated effects of the proposed rule amendments would be minimal,” according to agency rule-making documents.
While some tribes, like the Colville Confederated Tribes, permit wolf hunting, Revised Code of Washington 77.15.130 says “sensitive” species may not be hunted, taken or harassed.
The decision to down-grade the listing has been sought for years by farmers, ranchers and rural residents of Eastern Washington. Indeed, the federal government de-listed Eastern Washington gray wolves in January 2021 after finding the population was sufficient. Now, the state appears to follow suit.
“This proposed reclassification reflects the significant progress toward recovery that Washington’s wolf population has made since the original state listing in 1980,” according to rule-making documents.
In other business, the commission will consider a petition to resume spring bear hunting seasons at 9 a.m. followed by cougar hunting rule changes.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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