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A dangerous bill moving through the legislature in Idaho would expand aerial gunning of unprotected and “predatory animals” to include wolves.

The House already passed HB 630, but the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee doesn't have it on its agenda yet. Urge your state senator not to pass this bill!

This legislation is part of Idaho's ongoing war on wolves, largely at the behest of ranchers and hunters who want more ungulates like elk available to kill. The goal of Idaho's Gray Wolf Management Plan 2023-2028 is to reduce the state's wolf population, which is currently a little over 1,000, to about 500.

State and federal authorities can already remove wolves on public and private land, including by aerial killing, when it's been determined they're threatening livestock.

This bill would change the classification of wolves from big game animals to predatory animals, along with coyotes and foxes, authorize year-round killing with free permits, and shift management authority from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, which is obviously not focused on conservation.

Not only is aerial killing horrifyingly cruel, but it also disrupts pack structure, which can lead to more conflicts, and it poses a threat to members of other species who can be affected by low-flying aircraft, including protected species like grizzly bears and Canada lynx, and to recreational users of public lands.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Oppose HB 630 to Protect Predators From Aerial Gunning

As someone concerned with the protection of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, I’m writing to urge you to oppose HB 630.
 
This dangerous bill is just the latest in your state’s war on wolves, which is carried out largely at the behest of ranchers and hunters who want more ungulates like elk to kill. The goal of Idaho’s Gray Wolf Management Plan 2023-2028 is to reduce the state’s wolf population, which is currently a little over 1,000, to about 500.  
 
This bill would change the classification of wolves from big game animals to predatory animals, along with coyotes and foxes, authorize year-round killing with free permits, and shift management authority from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, which is obviously not focused on conservation.
 
Not only is aerial killing horrifyingly cruel, it also disrupts pack structure, which can lead to more conflicts, and it poses a threat to other species whose members can be affected by low-flying aircraft, including protected species like grizzly bears and Canada lynx, and to recreational users of public lands.
 
Our native predators, who are vital to healthy ecosystems, must stop paying the price for the intolerance of special interests.
 
I sincerely hope you will oppose this legislation. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.