The howl of a wolf getting whacked by a snowmobile

Gray wolves once lived in each of the lower 48 states, but today these fierce yet beautiful creatures reside in only 11. The gray wolf population stands at about 6,000 in the Lower 48, whereas Alaska has a much healthier population of 7,000-10,000.

The wolf is doing fine in Alaska, but elsewhere its population and range are a far cry from what they once were. 

Thus, when a story broke of a Wyoming character chasing down a yearling wolf, striking her with his snowmobile, and bringing her (still alive) to a bar in town to show off… well… it felt particularly galling. This species is far from recovered, and it’s getting killed like this.

Unsurprisingly, the story caught the attention of many, including members of Congress, and it didn’t lead to partisan bickering — far from it. 

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a bipartisan bill to make it illegal to use a snowmobile or motor vehicle to run down a wolf or coyote on federal public lands. Her original cosponsors were Reps. Donald Davis (D-NC), Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Troy Carter (D-LA). 

The Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act is modeled after state laws in Minnesota, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. It’s needed because, as it turns out, the aforementioned Wyoming wolf whacker isn’t alone. Indeed, wolf and coyote whacking is a thing. 

Now there’s a bill to make it an illegal thing on public lands. Thank you to the members who introduced the bill. Please keep working to get it passed. 

In the article below, you can read more about a problematic bill to strip away Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf in all states.