“Since last fall, it has become increasingly likely that Congress would pass legislation that would be disastrous for wolves and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Although Defenders has steadfastly opposed that legislation, we became convinced that the only real hope of stopping it was to reach a settlement of the litigation we brought in 2009 successfully challenging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s illegal decision to remove federal protection from wolves in the Northern Rockies.
Accordingly, on March 18, 2011, we joined with nine other conservation organizations in filing with the U.S. District Court in Montana a settlement agreement we negotiated with the Interior Department. Like any settlement agreement, this one is a compromise, but one that we are convinced was necessary to help avert what could easily be the most disastrous assault on the ESA since that monumental law took effect nearly four decades ago. We are also convinced that, if the agreement is approved by the court and all parties live up to their responsibilities, it will provide a path in which wolves will continue to recover in the Northern Rockies and science, not politics, will prevail.
Whatever happens now, we will continue to lead the effort both for wolves and the ESA going forward. Below you will find more detailed answers to questions about the settlement and what our next steps will be to ensure the long-term future of wolves across the Northern Rockies.
All of us at Defenders of Wildlife are extremely grateful for your continued support in our ongoing efforts to save America’s wolves.
Sincerely,
Rodger Schlickeisen”
**Please respond with your thoughts!
The Wolf Preservation Blog 
This was totally UNACCEPTABLE…
I now know where our donations go…
Some of us will continue to work for the wolves….
That’s the point DOW.., the very states you gave in to, are the ones ready to put a bounty on a pair of wolves they admit may/may not be involved in a yearling being taken.
So much for trusting them to work within the rules DOW !!!
This was a monumental FUBR by you all, that will allow Montana and Idaho to annihilate wolves at a alarming rate.
They don’t follow rules out there, so why would you think they would now!?
Your decision set back science, and the understanding the importance of the presence of the wolf to this ecosystem.
Lay in bed with the enemy, and you get screwed!
These comments are somewhat disturbing to me. People are under the impression that our whole goal as an agency is to take over the managment of wolves and exterminate them all! This is not true! Our goal as an agency is to preserve and protect all of Montana’s wildlife. The last thing we as a state want to do is to take over management of wolves and then screw up and have the feds come in and take over and we’re back to the big political mess again! Wolves will be managed in a way to ensure their existance in Montana for future generations. I just don’t understand the radical perspectives out there that we want to “kill em all.” Everyone needs to understand that alot of “dirty” politics have been used by both sides on this wolf issue but do people really think the state of Motana wants to have the feds come back in and take over control? Heck no! Everyone needs to sit back and relax and let this thing unfold. Thanks
Everyone please take a look at my most recent post. Several anti-wolf bills have been proposed, specifically by Senator Chas Vincent. Here is some Background on SB 414-
* Prevents Montana game wardens from investigating or citing anyone who kills a wolf when wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
* Allows wolves to be killed on private land at any time without a license, once wolves have been delisted.
* Requires Montana FWP to kill entire packs in response to any livestock depredation or reductions in elk herd numbers, while wolves are protected under the ESA, as long as there are at least 15 breeding pairs in the state.
* Forces the Attorney General to sue the federal government for “economic damages” to livestock and big game caused by wolves.
Mr Game Warden,
I tell you what is disturbing to me. It is your apparent disdain for the “Feds”. Why should I trust you more than the “Feds”? The “feds” which you apprently despise are guided certainly more by scientific principles than you are based on what I have seen so far coming out from your corner. Why don’t you post something constructive and tell us what your plans are.