The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission voted last month to increase wolf-hunting quotas, while also shifting direction on its earlier recommendation to increase limits for mountain lion quotas.
Mountain Journal reported in June that Game and Fish proposed raising hunting quotas for both species. However, following public comment over increasing the mortality limit of mountain lions, particularly in Hunt Areas 5 and 6, the commission reversed course during its July 16 meeting in Casper, Wyoming.
Despite initial recommendations by the department, the commission voted to maintain existing quotas for mountain lions, citing population figures and strong public testimony. “That was based on data presented on mountain lion population trends,” said Daniel Thompson, a large carnivore specialist with Wyoming Game and Fish, “and also based on public comment and testimony from houndsmen that spend a lot of time in those specific areas.”
Thompson described the in-person turnout as small but engaged. “Our commission asked us and the public numerous informative questions regarding mountain lion ecology and management, and also discussed things amongst themselves as a commission before moving forward with their decision.”
The approved limits will remain in effect for the next three years.
At the same meeting, the commission approved a draft proposal from Game and Fish to increase Wyoming’s wolf mortality limit from 38 to 44. Ken Mills, the department’s lead biologist, presented agency data on wolf populations and breeding pairs from 2000 through 2024 in addition to the proposed changes. During his presentation, Mills reiterated the management objective of maintaining a population of 160 wolves.
Since 2017, when wolves in Wyoming were delisted from Endangered Species Act protections, Game and Fish has nudged the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area population toward what it says is a stable objective. As of early 2025, the most recent census showed 163 wolves in the area, just above that target.
According to Game and Fish, gray wolves have a dual-classification management structure as defined in Wyoming state law. In the northwest part of the state, which is considered the wolf management area, wolves are classified as trophy game animals. Outside of this area they’re considered predatory animals. A third management zone in western Wyoming classifies wolves as predatory or trophy game animals depending on the time of year.
The changes will apply specifically to wolf hunt areas within the wolf management area, the only areas where Game and Fish actively manages wolf numbers. Adjustments to quotas are based largely on local population data; more wolves in a hunt area typically lead to a higher mortality limit.
The new regulations will take effect for the fall 2025 hunting seasons.
