Representative Winters explains proposed gray wolf legislation

State Representative John Winter introduced a bill for consideration by the Wyoming Legislature that would allow for compensation to ranchers outside of game hunting zones due to loss or damage by gray wolves.

The bill calls for a $90,000 fund to be set up to repay ranchers for their livestock losses for a two-year period.

In an interview Friday, Winter said, "If we get this passed it will help. Ranchers need compensated for these losses and the Wyoming Game and Fish doesn't have the money to do it. They do what they can, but they just don't have enough."

Winter added those outside the ranching industry don't understand these cattle and sheep are being chased by wolves their entire lives. He said it isn't just the losses due to death, but wolves cause a knock off of weight in the animals they're stalking as well as creating breeding issues.

Wyoming uses an intricate formula to determine what each animal is worth when it comes time for reimbursement, but Winter suggested the compensation under his bill would probably be different.

In the areas where compensation is currently allowed, mainly around Jackson and Yellowstone, the Wyoming Game and Fish doled out more than $380,000 to ranchers in 2019.

The purple areas in the associated graphic show where Winter's bill would allow for compensation should it pass.

Winter is very passionate about this issue and natural resources as a whole.

"I got in this (congress) to try to thwart the feds on natural resource issues," he said. "They've done some good stuff, but it doesn't always turn out the way we want. I want what's best for our agricultural community."

While the bill would only be good for two years, Winter hopes it will be successful and be extended.

Winter said its time for the feds to "ante up" and mentioned a bill Senator John Barrasso has introduced in Congress along with Senator Mike Enzi and two of Wisconsin's senators that would delist the gray wolf in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Wyoming under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and allow wolf management plans based on federal and state wildlife expertise.

"Wyoming has clearly demonstrated that a state can manage the gray wolf population successfully," Barrasso said. "States have the expertise and know how to best manage wildlife populations."

Enzi agreed, adding, "States have the best understanding for how to manage wolves in their areas. This bill would allow that to happen without continued interference from the courts. Wyoming has been dealing with this issue for decades. I trust local wildlife manages to manage wildlife better than those in Washington, thousands of miles away."