The management of wolves in Wyoming is returning to the state. A Washington, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals entered its final order in late April upholding the state's wolf management plan. Wyoming managed wolves from 2012 to 2014, but in 2014, a federal District Court judge reinstated federal protections for wolves on the premise that population commitments in Wyoming's wolf management plan needed to be fund in regulation or statute. Groups in favor of federal control of wolf-populated land made that case to the court.

However, the Appeals Court ruling overturns that original idea. In a press statement announcing that decision, Governor Matt Mead noted that he was "delighted that the Circuit Court recognized Wyoming's commitment to manage a recovered wolf population. Our wolf management plan is a result of years of hard work by people across Wyoming. We recognize the need to maintain a healthy wolf population."

Mead thanked former Secretaries of the Interior Ken Salazar and Sally Jewell, as well as former Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe, all from the Obama Administration, who helped the state get this issue resolved.

Wyoming Farm Bureau issued a statement noting that Wyoming met its commitment for wolf recovery in 2003 and almost a decade and a half later the state can again manage wolves as outlined by the Wolf recovery plan.

Noted Ken Hamilton, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President: "After a long and tortuous trek we are pleased that the legal wrangling for wolf management has concluded. We certainly believe Wyoming has stepped up to the plate on this issue and we are glad a three judge panel saw it that way."

For more information about management in both the Trophy Game Management Area and the predator zone, visit wgfd.wyo.gov.

Hamilton concluded that he would "like to remind folks that wolves have a dual classification in Wyoming and it is important that people avoid violating the law by understanding that wolves are protected in the northwestern part of the state, where practically all of the suitable wolf habitat is located and it is necessary to obtain a license before they can be hunted."