According to the 2021 Wyoming Gray Wolf Monitoring and Management annual report, Wyoming’s gray wolf population meets all recovery criteria.
This newly published document gives data on the wolf populations and conflict trends within the state. This data shows that the population remains stable and predictable. Likewise, it shows that Wyoming is maintaining wolf numbers at healthy levels.
2021 is the 20th consecutive year that wolf populations in Wyoming have met recovery and delisting criteria. Likewise, 2021 was the fulfillment year of the 5-year post-delisting monitoring period. These 5-year monitoring periods are required for all species during the recovery process. You can check out this report by clicking here.
Wolf Recovery
The state also announced that they will keep the Gray Wolf Management Plan as the wolf population continues on the road to recovery. The Management Plan currently has its own recovery criteria. Those criteria are as follows: At least 100 wolves and at least 10 breeding pairs need to be present outside of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and the Wind River Reservation.
“Wyoming has a proven track record of successfully managing a fully-recovered gray wolf, and we will continue that approach into the future. – Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik.
As of Dec. 31, 2021, at least 161 wolves and 14 breeding pairs reside within the wolf trophy game management area, where Game and Fish focuses its management. Likewise, there are at least 97 wolves in YNP and at least 17 in the Wind River Reservation. An additional 39 wolves were documented in the seasonal WTGMA and predatory animal areas. That brings the minimum wolf population in the state to at least 314 wolves.
The Wyoming Game and Fish stated that the steady wolf population is partially attributed to hunting. With hunters on the ground reporting what they see, officials can create a more complete picture.
You can read more about this report by clicking here. Likewise, you can read more Wyoming hunting news by clicking here.
