Governor Calls Wolf Hunt Conservative

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead told reporters yesterday that the state’s wolf hunt got off to a slow start this week with the taking of two wolves during the first days of the hunt – one in the Absaroka area of the state and the other in the Jackson area.  He says while there are 2200 wolf hunting licenses that were issued in the state, only 52 of them can be filled.  He says that represents a very conservative first year for the hunt.  Mead says, “We have over 300 wolves and we’re only going to allow 52 wolves to be killed – so it’s a very solid plan.”  However, he adds the state expects to be in court again in November.  He says his view is, quoting Mead, “for those who want to sue us, there’s no circumstance or set of circumstances that will appease them as long as there is any plan that involves the killing of wolves.”  Mead adds he has been getting letters objecting to the hunt, primarily from outside the state, but some from inside the state as well.  He says people are trying to use the Endangered Species Act to protect a species that is no longer in danger as recognized by experts in the field.