While there are wolves in Utah right now, having been confirmed by several Fish and Game officers and dozens of hunters who have spotted them in numerous places. Wolves haven’t been officially recognized in Utah yet. However this is open to debate because supposedly they’re protected under the Endangered Species Act in Utah. Right now though most sportsmen in Utah consider them just to be big coyotes or wild dogs.

But that could all change in January. Utah Senator. Alan Christensen, R-North Ogden is sponsoring a bill that will reclassify wolves as a game animal. Like bears or cougars. So Utah would have managed wolf hunts, much like Montana and Idaho.

They’re claiming that there are no established wolf packs in Utah right now. “We have transients that come in from other states from time to time, but we are not aware of any resident wolves or any breeding taking place in the state,” said Kevin Bunnell, wildlife section chief with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. However, over a dozen hunters have claimed to have seen as many as 7 wolves traveling together in certain areas in central Utah. This was also verified by wildlife officers.

This bill they say is being setup so that we can manage and kill wolves when they’re delisted.

We pulled this information from an article that was written by Amy Joi O’Donoghue for the Deseret News. The Deseret News is a popular newspaper in Utah. Here are some quotes from her article and our response to them. “Wolves have long been the nemesis of ranchers who bemoan livestock kills to the predator and big game hunters who dislike the competition.”

In response to your quotes Amy. Wolves are responsible for killing rancher’s livestock and damaging their way of life. Don’t take our word for it, watch this video and watch the ranchers tell you for themselves. Click here.

And lastly, yes, hunters don’t want competition from wolves. With wolves there is no competition, they will wipe out every big game animal in their path and leave nothing else. Simply ask people living in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. - Hunters Against PETA