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No, Dire Wolves Are Not Back

No, dire wolves are not back—but real wolves need your help

A collection of headlines from early April 2025 about dire wolves.

A collection of headlines from early April 2025 about dire wolves from https://www.webworm.co/p/direwolf

No, Dire Wolves Are Not Back—But We Should Talk About What Is Being Unleashed

There’s been a flurry of headlines this week claiming that dire wolves—the iconic, prehistoric predators that roamed North America more than 10,000 years ago—have been brought back from extinction. It’s the kind of story that sounds like science fiction: genetically modified wolves engineered to resemble dire wolves in both appearance and behavior. Cue the Jurassic Park theme.

But let’s pump the brakes.

An image of Time Magazine's cover about dire wolves with the word, "extinct," crossed out in red.

Time Magazine’s cover about dire wolves.

Despite the breathless media framing, the truth is far less sensational. According to experts, these animals are not actual dire wolves, nor are they even genetically identical to them. Rather, they’re modern gray wolves that have been selectively bred or gene-edited to look more like their extinct cousins. Think of it as cosplay for canids.

Still, the story taps into powerful mythologies—of wildness, power, and control—that have long shaped public perceptions of wolves in North America. Dire wolves have always held a special place in the cultural imagination. They inspired songs (Grateful Dead fans, we see you), haunted HBO screens in Game of Thrones, and symbolized a kind of ancient, untamed wilderness. But romanticizing these animals while ignoring the realities of modern wolf conservation can be dangerous.

Because here’s the thing: real wolves are already under siege in the U.S.

From “wolf whacking” in Wyoming to anti-predator ballot initiatives, wild wolves are being scapegoated, persecuted, and politically targeted. And just like the rhetoric about oversized “Canadian” wolves used to justify retribution in the American West, this new narrative risks fueling more fear, misunderstanding, and ultimately, harm.

Instead of fantasizing about bringing back extinct species, we should focus on protecting the wolves we still have—and the ecosystems that depend on them. Wolves play a critical role in restoring ecological balance and maintaining biodiversity. But for wolves to fulfill that role, we need more than minimum population numbers to avoid relisting under the Endangered Species Act. We need ecologically effective population sizes, meaningful habitat protections, and respect for individual animals—not just as numbers on a spreadsheet, but as sentient beings with intrinsic value. True rewilding requires coexistence, not commodification.

And that brings us to what’s happening right now—because the threats to wolves are real and urgent:

1. Help Stop the Attack on Mexican Gray Wolves in New Mexico

The Catron County Commission is pushing a dangerous resolution to declare a “state of emergency” over the presence of endangered Mexican gray wolves—based on fear, misinformation, and exaggerated claims.

We’re calling on New Mexico residents to speak up! Sign the petition urging Governor Lujan Grisham to oppose this harmful resolution and stand up for science-based wildlife policy.

Take action: If you’re connected to New Mexico—either personally or through your networks—please share this link widely. Together, we can protect the Mexican gray wolf and fight back against anti-wildlife policies.

2. Tell Your Senators: Vote NO on Brian Nesvik

The U.S. Senate is considering Brian Nesvik, former director of Wyoming Game & Fish, for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director. This is the same man who stood by while a wolf was tortured and run over in his state—and did nothing.

His record is clear: Nesvik prioritizes industry interests over wildlife conservation. From weakening predator protections to ignoring science in favor of ranching and trophy hunting, his leadership would be a disaster for endangered species, public lands, and the integrity of the USFWS.

Take action today: Call your senators and tell them to VOTE NO on Nesvik! Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Wildlife deserves a leader who will protect, not exploit.

3. Congress Is Coming for the Endangered Species Act—And Wolves Are in the Crosshairs

Once again, lawmakers are pushing dangerous bills to gut the Endangered Species Act and remove protections for wolves.

Several proposals in Congress aim to delist wolves nationwide, ignoring science, public support, and the essential ecological role wolves play. Even worse, some bills would weaken the ESA itself, making it harder to protect all imperiled species in the future.

These attacks are not about conservation—they’re about appeasing special interests at the expense of biodiversity and environmental justice.

Take action today: Call your representatives and demand they protect the ESA and keep wolves protected! Your voice matters.

Dire wolves may be extinct, but today’s wolves are still here—real, wild, and worth fighting for. Let’s stop the distracting fantasies and start advocating for the living beings and wild places that need us now.

Why Arizona Game and Fish Needs Reform

Why Arizona Game and Fish Needs Reform

Preordained and Denied: Arizona Fish and Game Commission Rejects Calls to End Hounding

A mountain lion sits in a tree while cornered by a hound who is climbing the lower branches. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department both rejected our rulemaking petition to end hounding of wildlife yesterday and support falsehoods and misinformation in their defense of the practice.

Image by Outdoor Adventure Specialists.

Yesterday, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission held its long-awaited meeting to consider our petition to ban the use of hounds in the hunting of mountain lions and black bears. The outcome was expected: a unanimous vote to deny the petition. But for all its predictability, the experience illuminated the deep dysfunction within Arizona’s wildlife governance system and only reaffirmed why this work is so necessary.

The day began at 8 a.m. and stretched well into the afternoon. Our petition—articulate, evidence-based, and focused on science, public safety, and wildlife ethics—was misrepresented not just by opponents, but by the Arizona Game and Fish Department itself. The agency’s presentation by staff biologist Jim Heffelfinger (which was given immediately following our presentation, we might add) dismissed published studies, minimized the risks to endangered species like jaguars and ocelots, and wielded graphs without confidence intervals to claim that hounding bans in other states had backfired. Heffelfinger flatly denied public safety concerns, brushing off the fact that attacks haven’t happened in Arizona as if that should be the standard and despite evidence to the contrary.

Still, our team showed up with strength and grace. Every one of our supporters who testified did so with clarity and conviction, even as the opposition was allowed to speak out of turn, Zoom in from remote locations, and clap after every statement—sometimes joined by the Chair himself. We heard slanderous accusations against our side: claims of fraud, entrapment, hatred for veterans, and wanting children to “rot on the couch.” (What?!)

One hound hunter bragged about targeting mature male animals to avoid females—a textbook definition of trophy hunting that exacerbates human-wildlife conflict. Others insisted collars keep dogs safe, misrepresenting the petition as an attack on safety rather than a challenge to the ethics and ecological impact of hounding. There was repeated denial that Arizona is habitat for ocelots or jaguars, despite data to the contrary.

In the end, the Commission voted without discussion to deny both petitions. The Chair closed by calling hound hunters “conservationists of the highest order.”

Let’s be clear: this decision was not rooted in science, public will, or the best interest of Arizona’s ecosystems. It was rooted in loyalty to a narrow set of special interests who benefit from the status quo. The Commission had already signaled their intent when they supported legislation earlier this year that would have blocked our petition outright had it been passed.

We were never going to win this vote. But we are still winning the long game.

Every time we raise this issue, more people begin to question the legitimacy of recreational carnivore killing. More people learn that Arizona’s wildlife is governed not by science or public values, but by a rigged system that prioritizes a narrow constituency. And every time we show up, we plant seeds for the future.

Our opponents have to win every time. We only have to win once. And we’re not going anywhere.

We are deeply proud of our team, our community, and everyone who testified with truth and courage. The science is on our side. The public is on our side. And eventually, policy will catch up.

Until then, we fight on.

Disappointment in Arizona: Commission Rejects Petition to End Hounding

Disappointment in Arizona: Commission Rejects Petition to End Hounding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2025

Arizona rally against hound hunting and oppose a bill that would have removed the public's ability to petition the Game and Fish commission to end this practice. Five hounds stick their head out of the "box"on the back of truck that transports them to a hunting site. Photo originally posted on Game and Fish Magazine and taken by Scott Haugen.

Photo originally posted on Game and Fish Magazine and taken by Scott Haugen.

Disappointment in Arizona: Commission Rejects Petition to End Hounding

PHOENIX—Despite powerful testimony, compelling evidence, and widespread public support, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission today voted to reject a petition that would have initiated a rulemaking process to ban the controversial practice of wildlife hounding.

Wildlife for All supporters, partners and fellow red-clad advocates packed the hearing, urging the Commission to take action. Hounding, which involves chasing animals like mountain lions and bears with packs of GPS-collared dogs, was denounced as cruel, outdated and ecologically damaging.

“We’re disappointed by the Commission’s decision, but we are not backing down,” said Michelle Lute, PhD, executive director of Wildlife for All. “The science is clear, the ethics are compelling, and the public is overwhelmingly with us. Arizona deserves a modern, compassionate approach to wildlife policy—and we’ll keep pushing until that vision becomes reality.”

“Today’s decision was a missed opportunity to do more to protect endangered species like jaguars, ocelots, and Mexican gray wolves,” said Erin Hunt, managing director of Lobos of the Southwest. “In refusing to listen to public input from the many people who care about Arizona’s native wildlife and public lands, the Commission is keeping Arizona on the wrong path. We will continue working toward a future where native species are safe in their wild homes.”

In November, conservation groups petitioned the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to ban using dog packs in Arizona, citing serious risks to wildlife, public safety and ethical hunting practices.

Hound hunting poses a clear and documented threat to federally protected jaguars and ocelots in the Southwest, with multiple recorded incidents of hounds chasing and treeing these endangered cats in Arizona. At least five jaguars have been pursued or harmed by hounds in the region since 1996, with Sombra abandoning his preferred habitat because of the presence of packs made up of as many as 30 dogs.

Similarly, packs of hunting dogs have chased or treed endangered ocelots more than a dozen times in Arizona since 2011. The repeated pursuit by hounds disrupts natural behaviors, causes physical stress and forces these rare cats from their essential habitats, threatening their survival and broader species recovery efforts.

A lion is cornered in a pine tree by a hound who has also climbed the branches. The Arizona Game Commission denied a rulemaking petition by conservation groups to end hounding yesterday, April 11, 2025, despite evidence that shows its harm.Arizona allows packs of dogs to chase and attack mountain lions, bears, coati and bobcats for sport. According to Arizona Game and Fish data, 748 mountain lions and 323 bears were reported killed by hunters using packs of dogs between 2020 and 2023. A 2020 study estimated that the state’s entire mountain lion population was between 1,166 and 1,715.

Hound hunting relies on GPS-collared dogs, remotely tracked via smart devices, to pursue wildlife, violating fair chase principles and state restrictions on electronic hunting. Additionally, uncontrolled hounds pose risks to public safety, sometimes attacking people on public lands and trespassing on private property.

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Wildlife for All is a national organization dedicated to reforming wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. Through research, advocacy, and education, we aim to protect wildlife and ensure that policies reflect the values of all Americans.

Lobos of the Southwest is a collaborative effort of concerned community members, scientists, educators and conservation organizations working to save the endangered Mexican gray wolf.

April Wildlife Commission Meetings

Speak up for wildlife at April Wildlife Commission Meetings.

A young cottontail rabbit runs through blurred out (bokeh) green grass. Text on the image reads, "Speak up for wildlife. at April wildlife commission meetings"

April Wildlife Commission Meetings

This is no joke: it’s April 1st and it’s time to gear up to advocate for wildlife at this month’s state wildlife commissions. Are you ready to keep up the pressure with this month’s wildlife commission meetings?

Wildlife commission meetings are critical opportunities to influence state policies and ensure that wildlife is managed in a way that reflects ecological principles and public values. Your voice matters. Whether you choose to attend in person, speak virtually, or submit comments, participating in these meetings is a meaningful way to stand up for wildlife.

Below is the list of every state with a wildlife commission meeting in April, listed from first to last by date. As you plan your comments and engagement, use the resources on our Resources Page and Advocacy Toolkit to prepare. Check below for meeting details by state and instructions for how to engage. Let’s make a difference!

 

Ohio

Meeting Date: April 2

Location: Wildlife District 1 Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH

Details: Click here for agenda and details 

Notes: Meeting begins at 6 p.m. Comments for open forums during Ohio Wildlife Council meetings must be about a current rule proposal. If you have a topic that is not a current rule proposal, please email the council with your comment or question (wildlife.council@dnr.ohio.gov), or speak to a council member before or after a meeting. If the topic falls within the wildlife, fish, or law section, feel free to reach out at our open houses or email the Division of Wildlife at wildinfo@dnr.ohio.gov.  Speakers must register by 5 p.m. Monday, March 31. The Public Comment Form must be completed and submitted to wildlife.council@dnr.ohio.gov. Along with the form, submit any handouts you plan to provide. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes. There will be a maximum of ten speaker slots available. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted.

 

Louisiana

Meeting Date: April 3

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4728 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: Start time 9 a.m. Register for the Zoom webinar to comment online/virtually or to watch live. Commission meetings are open to the public. To comment, you can attend the meeting in person at the location listed above, submit written comments  before the meeting by emailing Comments@wlf.la.gov. Your email must include the agenda item # in the subject of your email. The body of your message should include your name and address before your comment. During the Zoom meeting you may submit comments by using the ‘Q&A’ feature at the bottom of the Zoom application. During the designated comment period, click ‘Q&A’ at the bottom of your Zoom window, type your name, physical address, and question/comment, and then press ‘enter.’

Action: At the monthly meeting on Feb. 6 in New Orleans, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a Notice of Intent to extend wild alligator hunting season to Dec. 31. The extension would apply to both the West and East zones. The season would run from the last Wednesday in August until Dec. 31 in the East Zone and from the first Wednesday of September until Dec. 31 in the West Zone. The goal is to “increase harvest opportunity” because the season currently runs 60 days. To see the full NOI go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/commission-action-items. Public comment will be accepted on the NOI through 4:30 p.m. May 1. It may be submitted to Jeb Linscombe at jlinscombe@wlf.la.gov, by phone at 337-735-8671 or by mail to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA. 70506.

 

Missouri

Meeting Date: April 3-4

Location: MDC Headquarters, 2901 W Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: Thursday, April 3, 9:30 a.m. – Workshop and Closed Executive Session. Friday, April 4, 8:30 a.m. – Regular Open Meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. The time allotted for public comment and the number of speakers will be at the Commission’s discretion. Background documents related to open meeting agenda items are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape, or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made. To view livestream of the open meeting, or to watch recordings of past meetings, go to http://on.mo.gov/2nodPJU.

Action: Recommendations for 2025 black bear season dates and quotas — Presentation by Nate Bowersock, Black Bear and Furbearer Program Coordinator, and Action by Laura Conlee, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee. Tailor your comments to this unnecessary hunt.

 

South Dakota

Meeting Date: April 3-4

Location: Matthews Training Center, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: April 3, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT | April 4, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. CT Livestream watch link. Zoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: 970458 | To provide comments, join the meeting in person, via zoom, or via conference call per the info above. Please inform Gail Buus at gail.buus@state.sd.us by 1 pm CST if you plan to speak during the meeting. Testifiers should provide their full names, whom they are representing, city of residence, and which proposed topic they will be addressing. Written comments can be submitted here. Here are guidelines for submission. To be included in the public record, comments must include full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy-two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting).

Webinar Info: We will be using Zoom Webinar® for this meeting. As a participant, you will not have audio or video capabilities by default. During the open forum and public hearing, if you’d like to testify, please ‘Raise Your Hand’ using the button at the bottom of the screen, or by pressing *9 on your phone. To lower your hand via phone, press *9 again. When it’s your turn to speak, the meeting host will unmute you, allowing you to have audio but no video. If your phone is muted when called upon, press *6 to unmute. • *9 to ‘Raise Your Hand’ or ‘Lower Your Hand.’ • *6 to Unmute or Mute

Action: Oppose the expansion of mountain lion hounding on public and private land under Agenda Item: “Finalizations, 7. Prairie Mountain Lion Hunting.” More information here.

 

Washington

Meeting Date: April 3-5

Location: 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501, Natural Resources Building, Room 172.

Details: Click here for agenda and schedule details 

Notes: Zoom link  Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5 p.m. the day before the meeting begins. Registrants will be called upon and typically have 3 minutes to speak. If you are unable to participate, you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page. If you haven’t pre-registered and wish to attend and speak in person, complete a Public Testimony Form, available at the registration table. The form must be submitted at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.

Schedule details: Thursday, April 3 – Committee Meetings
9-10 a.m. – Big Tent Committee – Commissioners Lehmkuhl, Baker, Parker, & Smith
To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 846 2847 5164
Agenda Topics: Budget & Legislation Discussion, Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

10 a.m. – Noon – Fish Committee – Commissioners Anderson, Lehmkuhl, Parker
To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 858 1445 1710
Agenda Topics: Annual Puget Sound Crab (C-3610) and Shrimp (C-3609) Policy Report, Lamprey Update, Commercial Dungeness Crab Rules – Coastal Comprehensive Line Marking Rules, Budget & Legislation Discussion, Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

1-3 p.m. – Wildlife Committee – Commissioners Smith, Anderson, Myers, Rowland
To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 818 0835 6676
Agenda Topics: Crop Damage WAC Revision, Deleterious Exotic Wildlife WAC Revision, GMP Update, Budget & Legislation Discussion, Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion.

Action: Friday, April 4, 2-3 p.m. – 7. Black Bear Season Setting – Decision. Staff will request a decision from the Commission on 2025-2027 Black Bear Season Setting. Staff Report: Stephanie Landry, Carnivore, Small Game, and Furbearer Section Manager and Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager. | Saturday April 5, 9:45-10:45 a.m. – 10. Annual Wolf Report – Briefing. Staff will brief the Commission on the 2024 annual Wolf Conservation Management Report. Staff Report: Benjamin Maletzke, Statewide Wolf Specialist, Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Wolf & Grizzly Bear Policy Lead, and Mick Cope, Wildlife Program Director

 

Nevada

Meeting Date: April 4

Location: Virtual only

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: Public comment will be taken on each action item following Commission discussion and before any action is taken. Persons attending virtually wishing to comment are invited to raise their virtual hands in the virtual meeting forum during the appropriate time; each person offering public comment during this period will be limited to not more than three minutes. The Chair may allow persons representing groups to speak for six minutes. Persons may not allocate unused time to other speakers. Persons are invited to submit written comments on items prior to the meeting at wildlifecommission@ndow.org or attend and make comment during the meeting.

 

Oklahoma

Meeting Date: April 7

Location: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Details: No agenda available as of webpage publishing 3/31

Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. It’s not clear how to comment or speak; we suggest emailing the department to ask. It’s also unclear if there is a virtual participation option. Read more on their website.

 

 

New Jersey

Meeting Date: April 8

Location: Assunpink Wildlife Management Area – Central Region Office, Large Conference Room,1 Eldridge Rd., Robbinsville Twp, NJ 08691

Details: Click here for agenda

Notes: The public is welcome to attend and participate in the public portion of each meeting. Meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be held both in person and via GoToMeeting  (audio only). Call in: +1 (312) 757-3121 | Access Code: 848-342-077. Per the website, public comments may be made in person or online and will be limited to 3 minutes per person. More information about the Commission is on its website, including a meeting guide and how to connect. For help, contact Kristen.Meistrell@dep.nj.gov.

 

Utah

Meeting Date: April 8

Location: Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington, Utah

Details: Click here for agenda and details.

Notes: Unless otherwise noted, all Wildlife Board meetings are on Thursdays at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington. Board meetings begin at 9 a.m, unless otherwise indicated. Feedback occurs at Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meetings; the last one was in December. If you wish to comment during a RAC or Board meeting, you must attend the meeting in person — you may not submit comments online during the meeting. When you come to the meeting, pick up a comment card, fill it out and speak at the podium when your name is called. Find the full schedule hereAgendas and minutes are here. Learn how to make a presentation to the RAC or Board.

Schedule: Wildlife Board Work Session – April 8 – Tuesday RAC meetings: • Big game permit numbers. • Antlerless permit numbers • CWMU rule amendments • CWMU management plans • LOA management plans April 9 – NR April 10 – CR – moved to Thursday to accommodate WB Work Session April 15 – SR – Southern Utah University April 16 – SER April 17 – NER

 

Wisconsin

Meeting Date: April 8-9

Location: Rm. G09, State Natural Resources Bldg. (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison WI 53703. Enter the building at the 101 S. Webster St. entrance and take the hallway to the right to the reception desk.

Details: Click here for agenda and meeting details (note no agenda is available at time of website publishing).

Notes: The Natural Resources Board will meet in-person. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted for this meeting. In person public appearances are also welcome. Members of the public can submit their request to testify remotely, in person, or their written comments by the posted deadline date for Board consideration, typically one week before the meeting date. Watch live on YouTube.

Public Participation Deadline: NRB Liaison receipt of your request to testify and/or written comment is 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Please contact Ashley Bystol, NRB Liaison, at 608-267-7420 or by email at DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov with NRB-related questions, to request information, submit written comments or to register to testify at a meeting.

Members of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will have an informal social gathering at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company, 123 East Doty Street, Madison, Wisconsin. No action will be taken. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on the agenda.

 

Vermont

Meeting Date: April 9

Location: National Life Dewey Conference Room, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: Meeting starts at 5 p.m. Unclear how to comment or speak either virtually or in person. Full meeting schedule for 2025 is here.

Action: The department will accept public comment on proposed updates to state fishing regulations, (https://vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/fish-and-wildlife-board/board-rules), through April 7 via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov.

The department will accept public comment on proposed updates to turkey season, moose season, deer season, cervid carcass importation rules, and moose harvest recommendations found here, via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov through May 25. Public hearings will be held at the following dates and locations:

  • May 6, 6:30 p.m., Winooski Middle & High School, 60 Normand St., Winooski
  • May 8, 6:30 p.m., Springfield High School, 303 South St., Springfield

 

Michigan

Meeting Date: April 10

Location: Lansing Community College, West Campus Rooms M119-121, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917

Details: Click here for agenda and details.

Notes: Coffee with commissioners at 8:30 a.m. Meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Persons registering to provide comments on a topic listed on the agenda on or before the Friday preceding the meeting will be allowed up to 5 minutes for their comments. Persons registering to comment on a topic not listed on the agenda, after the Friday preceding the meeting, or at the meeting will be allowed up to 3 minutes. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to submit written comments on agenda items, please write to Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, Michigan 48909, or email nrc@michigan.gov. Read more on the Commission website.

 

Arizona 

Meeting Date: April 11

Location: Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000

Details: Clcik here for agenda and details

Notes: Members of the public may view the meeting from any Department Regional Office. Members of the public attending in person wanting to speak on a specific agenda item may submit Speaker Cards (Blue Cards) if they wish to speak to the Commission and may only address the Commission by attending in person or from any regional office. Copies of any presentations, documents, etc. discussed during the meeting will be available by contacting sprice@azgfd.gov. No discussion or action will be taken by the Commission on topics raised in public comment. Any items requiring further discussion or action will be included on a future Commission meeting agenda. View live webcasts at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam.

Action: Our petition will be presented! Show up en masse and WEAR RED.
3) Petition by Center for Biological Diversity and others to Amend A.A.C. R12-4-318 Seasons for Lawfully Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles, and A.A.C. R12-4-304 Lawful Methods for Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles. Presenter: Luke Thompson, Special Assistant to the Director. The Commission will consider the petitions submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity and others, to amend A.A.C. R12-4-318 Seasons for Lawfully Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles, and A.A.C. R12-4-304 Lawful Methods for Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles.

 

Hawai’i

Meeting Date: April 11

Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i

Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.

Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.

 

Pennsylvania

Meeting Date: April 11-12

Location: PGC Headquarters – 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: 1 p.m. Friday, April 11 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12. Public comment is accepted in person only on a first-to-register, first-to-speak basis. Watch live on YouTube.

 

North Dakota

Meeting Date: April 14-22

Location: Varies by region

Details: Visit their website for updates and more details.

Notes: The North Dakota Game and Fish Advisory Board is made up of eight members, four landowners and four hunter/anglers. Board members serve as liaisons between the department and the North Dakota public. Bi-annual meetings are held in each of eight districts giving citizens an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife related issues.

A grid of North Dakota's spring advisory board meetings, taking place between April 14-22, 2025.

 

California – Tribal Committee only

Meeting Date: April 15

Location: California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Details: Click here for agenda and details

Notes: Meeting documents are not yet available. Commission meetings are live-streamed (also referred to as a live webcast) with full audio and video. If you simply want to observe the meeting, but do not wish to comment on any item, we encourage you to view the live webcast available at www.fgc.ca.gov. How to join (if you plan to provide comment). More on all meetings in 2025. 

 

New Hampshire

Meeting Date: April 15

Location: Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH

Details: Agenda was not available when this webpage was published (4/1). Keep checking this webpage for details.

Notes: Meetings are generally at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. Meetings of the NH Fish and Game Commission are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

 

 

Arkansas 

Meeting Date: April 16-17

Location: DeGray State Park

Details:  Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda is online at time of webpage publishing).

Notes: Unclear how to speak at meetings or provide virtual testimony or written comments. 2025 meeting schedule is here. Archive of 2025 meetings is here.

 

 

Maryland

Meeting Date: April 16

Location: Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service, 580 Taylor Avenue, Tawes State Office Building, E-1, Annapolis MD 21401

Details: No agenda was available at time of webpage publishing; meeting schedule is listed at the end of the January agenda. Keep checking their website for updates. 

Notes: Google Meet. Note: Unless notified otherwise, all meetings will be held via Google Meet. When meeting in person, they will be held in the C-4 Conference Room of the Department of Natural Resources—Tawes State Office Building beginning at 10:30 a.m. Available parking is located at the Navy Stadium Parking Lot. Send written comments to wac.dnr@maryland.gov.

 

 

Massachusetts

Meeting Date: April 16

Location: MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts

Details: Click here for agenda and details (note agenda is not available at time of webpage publishing)

Notes: Meeting starts at 10 a.m. Attendees can go in person or join via Zoom, passcode 989800. Or join via audio: (929) 205-6099. Webinar ID: 863 9175 7210. Passcode: 989800. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak at the monthly business meeting must begin by notifying the Board in writing 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco.

April 16, 2025. The April monthly business meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts, and in a Zoom webinar.

 

Montana

Meeting Date: April 17

Location: Zoom only (Regional offices will be open and available for those without internet access)

Details: Click here for agenda and details.

Notes: Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. Public comments were accepted on the following proposals through March 26, 2025 with final action to be taken at the April 17 meeting. Public comment can still be submitted during the Zoom meeting itself. Watch for the registration link on this page. Registration to comment via Zoom will open on April 2 and close at Noon on April 16. Check this page for the link.

 

Nebraska

Meeting Date: April 17-18

Location:Crete Carrier Lodge at ET Mahoney State Park 28500 W Park Hwy Ashland, NE

Details: Click here for agenda and details (note agenda was note available at time of webpage publishing)

Notes: Meeting starts at 8:15 a.m.All interested persons may attend and testify orally or by written submission at the public hearing. Interested persons or organizations may submit written comments prior to the hearing, which will be entered into the hearing record if they: 1) include a request to be included as part of the hearing record; 2) include the name and address of the person or organization submitting the comments; and 3) are received by 1 p.m. CT April 16, 2025 by Sheri Henderson at the Lincoln office, 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.  It is unclear if the meeting will be livestreamed and if virtual participation is possible.

Action: The commission will consider amendments to Wildlife Commission Order C03, Antelope, Deer, Elk regarding changes to permit numbers, season dates, bag limits, personal limits and areas open.

 

North Carolina

Meeting Date: April 17

Location: Raleigh

Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda online as of 3/31)

Notes: The website says to register for virtual/Zoom attendance in advance but does not list a deadline. Unless otherwise specified, all meetings are held at Commission Headquarters in Raleigh.

 

Oregon

Meeting Date: April 17-18

Location: Winchester Bay

Details: No agenda online as of 3/31; keep checking this webpage for more details 

Notes: April 17 Winchester Bay Tour; April 18 Winchester Bay Public Meeting. Meeting starts at 8 a.m. Members of the public can view a livestream of the meeting via the agency’s YouTube channel or on the Commission page. Members of the public may also view a livestream of this meeting at ODFW Headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem. Comment and testimony are limited to 3 minutes or less. Submit written comments and/or register to speak virtually by 8 a.m., April 15. Those who would like to provide virtual testimony must register no less than 48 hours in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To provide testimony on an agenda item in-person, registration will be available at the meeting. To provide in-person public comment, fill out a “Witness Registration” form available at the meeting.

Action:

  • Oregon Game Bird Regulations- Rulemaking
  • Wolf Annual Report- Informational | Comment to demand more be done to prevent illegal killings.
  • 2025 Sport and Commercial Pacific Halibut Regulations- Rulemaking
  • 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and Ocean Terminal Fisheries-Rulemaking
  • Private Forest Accord Project Funding- Approval

 

Georgia

Meeting Date: April 22

Location: Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center – Shepherd Room 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, GA 30055

Details: Click here for details. (note the meeting agenda was not available at time of webpage publishing)

Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m.It is unclear how to sign up to speak, submit a comment, or if virtual participation is possible. Here is the full 2025 meeting schedule.

 

Wyoming

Meeting Date: April 22-23

Location: Casper

Details: Agenda not available at time of webpage publishing; keep checking back for updates

Notes: This meeting will be conducted in person and via Zoom. Please note there are different links for each day. If you wish to speak to the Commission and comment on an agenda item in person, please complete the comment form provided at the meeting.  If you wish to speak to the Commission and comment on an agenda item via Zoom, please submit an Advanced Agenda Item Comment Form, which is attached to the agenda, by Monday, April 21 to toni.bell2@wyo.gov.

 

Kansas

Meeting Date: April 24

Location: Flint Oak – 2639 Quail Road, Fall River, KS 67047

Details: Click here for agenda and details. (note no agenda was available at time of webpage publishing)

Notes: Meeting starts at 12 p.m. You can watch and comment via Zoom; register here. Once registered, you will emailed a link to “Join the Meeting.” You will be muted upon entering the meeting. To comment or ask a question, use the “Raise Hand” feature or type your question in the chat function. Watch Live video/audio stream at https://ksoutdoors.com/commission-meeting. 

 

Tennessee

Meeting Date: April 24-25

Location: Region II Office, Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville, TN

Details: Click here for agenda and details (note no agenda is available at the time of webpage publishing)

Notes: Meeting starts at 1 p.m. on April 24 and 9 a.m. on April 25. No agenda listed and it is unclear how to watch remotely, or how to provide comments.

 

Hawai’i

Meeting Date: April 25

Location: 1151 Punchbowl St. Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), Honolulu, Hawai‘i

Details: Meeting agendas are posted at least 6 days prior to the date of the meeting but an agenda for this month was not available when this webpage was posted. Keep checking back on this webpage.

Notes: Meeting starts at 9.a.m. Attend in person and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time in order to add your name to the sign-in sheet. To speak virtually, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov. Include your name and the agenda item on which you would like to testify. Once your request has been received, you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Requests may be also made during the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/c/boardoflandandnaturalresourcesdlnr. To submit a comment, email blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting to ensure time for BLNR Member review.

 

New Mexico

Meeting Date: April 25

Location: Roswell

Details: Meeting agenda and details not available at time of webpage publishing, keep checking this webpage for updates.

Notes: Meeting starts at 9 a.m. Comment in person by signing up to speak via a card. Register in advance to attend this meeting virtually via Zoom (link available when the agenda is online).  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The commission may hear verbal public comments from virtual attendees at this meeting. If comments are taken, you will be asked to virtually raise your hand and then acknowledged to speak when it is your turn. A live webcast of this meeting will be available on the commission’s Webcast page and on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish. Comments will not be taken on the live webcast or on YouTube.

 

Delaware

Meeting Date: April 29

Location: Dover

Details: Click here for agenda (not available at time of webpage publishing) and details

Notes: Meeting starts at 7 p.m. No information on how to speak or comment available at time of webpage publishing but the site says virtual connection details will be announced.

 

LoboWeek 2025 Is A Call To Action

LoboWeek 2025 is a call to action for those who love wolves.

Cindy, a female wolf at the ABQ BioPark, stares from the left side of the image into the right side with her fuzzy ears cocked toward the camera. Cindy was sent to Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge for pre-release into the wild in in 2021. During LoboWeek 2025, advocate for bonded pairs of adult Mexican gray wolves to be released together into the wold. Photo: ABQ BioPark.

Cindy, a female wolf at the ABQ BioPark was sent to Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge for pre-release into the wild in in 2021. Photo: ABQ BioPark.

LoboWeek 2025: Fighting for Real Solutions for Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves

Each year, LoboWeek offers an opportunity to celebrate and advocate for one of the most endangered mammals in North America: the Mexican gray wolf. Hosted by the Wolf Conservation Center, this annual event sheds light on the plight of these remarkable wolves and the ongoing challenges they face in the wild. 

While the most recent population survey shows an 11% increase in their numbers, this doesn’t tell the whole story—Mexican wolves are still in serious danger, and without bold changes, their future remains precarious.

A Population in Peril

According to the Arizona Game & Fish Department, the 2024 minimum population count reached 286 wolves across Arizona and New Mexico. While this marks the ninth consecutive year of growth, the long-term viability of the species is threatened by low genetic diversity, political obstacles, and persistent human-caused mortality. 

Mexican gray wolves were nearly wiped out in the wild before being reintroduced in 1998, and every individual wolf today traces back to just seven founders. With such a limited gene pool, conservation efforts must focus on increasing genetic diversity—not just numbers—if these wolves are to truly recover.

Cross-Fostering Isn’t The Answer

One of the biggest obstacles to meaningful recovery for lobos has been the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) reliance on cross-fostering instead of releasing bonded pairs of wolves into the wild. 

Since 2016, 126 captive-born pups have been placed into wild dens in an attempt to introduce new genetics. However, the success rate is abysmally low—less than 16% of fostered wolves have survived to breeding age and produced pups. 

Meanwhile, wolves born and raised in captivity remain behind fences, despite their potential to form breeding pairs that could strengthen the wild population. The cross-fostering program has been a politically convenient distraction from the real solution: releasing bonded wolf pairs that can establish new packs and contribute to genetic recovery.

Breaking the I-40 Barrier

Another major roadblock for recovery is the arbitrary boundary at Interstate 40, which currently limits Mexican gray wolf recovery around invisible lines on a map for political purposes. Wolves naturally disperse in search of new territory, yet the USFWS does not allow them to roam beyond this artificial line. 

This restriction prevents them from accessing additional suitable habitat in northern Arizona, New Mexico, and even Colorado, where they could potentially cross-breed with that state’s gray wolves to bolster genetic diversity and establish a more resilient population. 

If USFWS is serious about lobo recovery, it must remove the I-40 boundary and allow these wolves to expand into areas where they are desperately needed.

LoboWeek 2025 offers a chance to advocate for Mexican gray wolves. These three Mexican gray wolf pups starting at the camera while standing and sitting around a log in their enclosure were born in May 2020 at the Albuquerque BioPark. Photo by ABQ Bio Park.

Mexican gray wolf pups born in May 2020 at the Albuquerque BioPark. Photo by ABQ Bio Park.

Poaching and Livestock Conflicts: A System Rigged Against Wolves

While Mexican gray wolves struggle to survive in the wild, they are routinely targeted by illegal killings—many of which go unpunished. Such poaching is often undetected and not only a direct threat to wolf recovery but is also enabled by a broader system that favors livestock interests over wildlife protection. The case of Craig Thiessen, a rancher who brutally killed at least one young Mexican wolf caught in a trap, exemplifies how lenient consequences for such acts reinforce a culture of impunity—one that is mirrored in the misconduct and bias within Wildlife Services. In 2022, an investigation by The Intercept exposed fraud and misconduct within Wildlife Services, the federal agency tasked with handling livestock-wolf conflicts. 

Despite these enormous revelations, little has changed. The livestock industry continues to exert enormous influence over wolf management, often leading to wolves being removed or killed at the behest of ranchers. 

Last year, 23 conservation organizations, including Wildlife for All, condemned the removal of the entire Kendrick Peak pack in Arizona, revealing how tilted decision-making for lobos is in favor of livestock interests, which disproportionately disrupts recovery efforts and ignores non-lethal coexistence solutions.

This lack of transparency and accountability underscores the broken nature of the system—one that consistently prioritizes livestock interests over science-based wolf conservation.

The Fight for the Endangered Species Act

In the midst of LoboWeek 2025, the threats to Mexican wolves are compounded by ongoing political attacks on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Right now, the Republican-led House of Representatives is considering legislation that would weaken the ESA and strip protections for wolves nationwide. 

One bill, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, would gut the law’s ability to protect imperiled species, making it easier to delist them and harder to secure new protections. Another bill, the extremely misleadingly named Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025, would remove gray wolves from the ESA entirely and prevent future legal challenges to their delisting.

If passed, these bills would have catastrophic consequences not just for Mexican wolves, but for all endangered wildlife in the U.S. This is why we must act now to defend the ESA and push for real solutions that prioritize wolf recovery over industry profits.

Making matters worse, former Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik—a longtime opponent of wolf protections and architect of the state’s extreme anti-wolf policies—is being considered for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, a move that would further endanger the integrity of the ESA and put wolf recovery in even greater jeopardy.

Take Action for Lobos during LoboWeek 2025

LoboWeek 2025 is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to action. Mexican wolves need us to fight for their future, and here’s what you can do:

  • Call your House Representative at 202-224-3121 and demand they protect the Endangered Species Act and oppose any legislation that weakens wolf protections.
  • Call your Senators and urge them to reject Brian Nesvik as USFWS Director—we need leadership that prioritizes conservation, not industry interests.
  • Advocate for real recovery efforts for Mexican gray wolves, including releasing bonded pairs, allowing wolves to roam beyond I-40, and holding poachers and Wildlife Services accountable.
Members of the Wildlife for All staff, board, and advisory board prepare for a hike to remotely view Mexican gray wolves at the start of LoboWeek 2025.

Members of the Wildlife for All staff, board, and advisory board prepare for a hike to remotely view Mexican gray wolves at the start of LoboWeek 2025.

The Wildlife for All team recently had the privilege of observing eight Mexican wolves in pre-release pens at our retreat in New Mexico—a sight that took our breath away. These wolves deserve a chance to roam wild, raise their young, and reclaim their place in the Southwest.

Let’s make sure LoboWeek 2025 is the year we demand the real solutions they desperately need.

For more ways to take action, be sure to follow Lobos of the Southwest and use their action toolkits to add your voice to current campaigns. 

Coyote Awareness Week: Challenging Fear, Embracing Coexistence

A coyote looks at the camera with one ear cocked. The text on the image reads, Coyote Awareness Week.

Coyote Awareness Week: Challenging Fear, Embracing Coexistence

Coyotes are one of the most persecuted wild animals in North America. Despite their intelligence, adaptability, and crucial ecological roles, they are subject to relentless killing—over half a million coyotes die each year in the U.S. alone. This staggering number, more than one coyote killed per minute, is fueled by outdated myths, fear-driven policies, and a deeply ingrained war against predators that dates back to European colonization.

Predator extermination campaigns in the 1800s–mid 1900s nearly wiped wolves, mountain lions, and bears off the map. But when the focus turned to coyotes, they responded to this persecution with resilience and adaptability, tripling their range in the last century and filling vacant niches left where wolves were extirpated. Yet rather than celebrating their resilience to adapt to a human dominated world and the important roles they play in our urban and rural communities, our society has often labeled the coyote as a “pest” or a threat to human communities.

Unlike other carnivores, coyotes have virtually no protections under state wildlife laws, allowing unlimited, year-round killing by almost any means, including trapping, poisoning, aerial gunning, and in wildlife killing contests. Federal agencies like USDA Wildlife Services further enable this persecution, killing nearly 70,000 coyotes annually, mostly at the request of the livestock industry.

Coyote’s ability to adjust to changing conditions and diverse environments, along with their ability to survive and thrive in the face of relentless persecution, has left them vulnerable to insufficient legal protections. In almost every region of the United States, coyotes are legally allowed to be killed, sometimes incentivized through bounties, in unlimited numbers 365 days of the year, using almost any means, including killing contests, trapping, poisoning, hounding, baiting, aerial gunning, and unregulated recreational killing.

Accurate numbers do not exist for how many coyotes are killed through “sport” or wildlife killing contests, because state agencies often do not track or monitor the killing of coyotes, and this number is likely a very low estimate. Even with this underestimate, it translates to: 41,666 coyotes killed every month; 9,615 coyotes killed every week; 1,370 coyotes killed every day, 57 coyotes killed every hour; and 1 coyote killed every minute.

But the science is clear: killing coyotes doesn’t solve conflicts—and sometimes, it can actually make them worse. Disrupting coyote family structures leads to more breeding by younger animals, larger litters, and potentially increased conflicts with livestock from younger animals who don’t know how to target proper prey. Instead of lethal “management” that has been proven ineffective, we need policies that promote coexistence, respect, and sound ecological principles.

Coyotes play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. They regulate rodent populations, limit disease transmission, and control mesocarnivores like skunks and raccoons, which helps increase bird diversity. Whether in rural landscapes or urban neighborhoods, they provide essential ecosystem services that benefit us all. Yet, instead of recognizing their value, our society has labeled them as pests, subjecting them to brutal and indiscriminate killing methods—including trapping, poisoning, aerial gunning, hounding, and wildlife killing contests.

Coyote Awareness Week, created by Project Coyote, is a call to rethink our relationship with these intelligent, resilient animals. By understanding coyote behavior, reducing human-caused attractants, and using humane hazing techniques when needed, we can foster coexistence instead of conflict. This week is centered on teaching communities nationwide about coyote ecology, behavior, and compassionate coexistence. We believe that if we can change hearts and minds about coyotes, the world will be a more compassionate place for all wild lives.

Wildlife for All is proudly signing the Coyote Pledge to:

  1. Recognize the Importance of Coyotes: Take responsibility to learn about the critical role coyotes serve in our ecosystems, helping to maintain biodiversity and healthy environments.
  2. Dispel Myths and Misconceptions: Share accurate information about coyotes in your community (in-person and on social media) to address common myths to promote understanding and reduce fear.
  3. Support Community Coexistence Efforts: Learn how to keep coyotes wild through humane hazing and reduce attractants that can lead to habituation in your yard and community. Together we can positively manage interactions between humans and coyotes in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
  4. Educate and Inspire Action: Use Coyote Awareness Week to educate your community about the benefits of living alongside coyotes by sharing Coyote Awareness Week emails and social media posts or creating your own.
  5. Advocate for Ethical and Science-based Wildlife Policies: Support policies in your state and at the federal level that protect coyotes and oppose inhumane practices like indiscriminate trapping, wildlife killing contests, and hounding.

Coyotes have been here since the Pleistocene, adapting to human expansion with remarkable resilience. It’s time to end the war on coyotes and advocate for policies that reflect science, ethics, and public values. Let’s build a future where coyotes—and all wildlife—are treated with the respect they deserve.

When Beavers Do It Better

A beaver swims underwater in Glacier National Park. Credit National Parks Service.

When Beavers Do It Better: A Lesson in Letting Nature Lead

When governments stall and bureaucracies tangle themselves in red tape, nature often steps in with a solution. That’s exactly what happened in the Czech Republic, where a group of beavers did what humans couldn’t—build a dam that saved a river.

Authorities had long debated a plan to construct a dam to protect the Klabava River from sediment and acidic runoff. The project was expensive ($1.2 million), bogged down in permitting issues, and seemingly going nowhere. But while officials argued, eight beavers got to work.

Very quickly, they built the perfect dam—efficient, durable, and strategically placed to maximize water quality and habitat benefits. Their structure not only stabilizes the river but also creates a thriving wetland that supports fish, birds, other mammals, and even humans. And unlike human-made infrastructure, the beavers will maintain it for free, continuously adapting it to meet the ecosystem’s needs.

As Jaroslav Obermajer of the Czech Nature and Landscape Protection Agency put it: “Beavers always know best. The places where they build dams are always chosen just right—better than when we design it on paper.”

This story is more than just a feel-good moment—it’s a lesson in humility. Too often, wildlife management follows the thought process that we must control, manage, and engineer nature to function properly. But in reality, ecosystems have been self-regulating for millions of years. Instead of constantly trying to dominate the natural world, what if we stepped back and let it do what it does best?

We can follow the lead of the Czech officials. Instead of rejecting this unplanned intervention, those folks embraced it. As environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb said:“Instead of saying, ‘That wasn’t what we planned originally,’ they recognized that these animals are filling that ecological function very well and said, ‘We’re going to let them keep doing it.'”

A beaver chews a willow brand in Grand Teton National Park. A beaver swims underwater in Glacier National Park. Credit National Parks Service, Adams. Beavers: Nature’s Master Engineers

For decades, scientists have recognized that the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) provides a host of ecological benefits across its range, from northern Mexico to Alaska. Beaver ponds and wetlands:
✔ Filter out water pollution
✔ Support salmon and other fish species
✔ Sequester carbon
✔ Control flooding
✔ Serve as natural firebreaks

These structures also create habitat for scores of other species, from aquatic insects, fish, and amphibians to larger creatures like herons, whooping cranes, moose, and bison. In fact, the largest beaver dam on record—located in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada—stretches the length of seven football fields and is so massive it can be seen from space.

Beavers don’t just help nature; they help humans too. In Oregon, beavers built dams on the property of a multimillion-dollar stormwater treatment facility. When scientists studied the results, they found that the beavers filtered out heavy metals and other pollutants twice as effectively as the human-built system.

A beaver swims through Swan Lake in Yellowstone National Park. A beaver swims underwater in Glacier National Park. Credit National Parks Service, Neal Herbert. Beavers: America’s Best Firefighters

The benefits of beaver engineering are even clearer in the face of wildfires. After the Sharps Fire in Idaho scorched mountainsides and forests, entire landscapes were reduced to ash—except in the valleys where beavers had been at work. There, the land remained lush, wet, and green.

Recent studies confirm that beavers are among nature’s best firefighters. By building dams, forming ponds, and digging canals, they irrigate vast stream corridors and create fireproof refuges where plants and animals can shelter. In some cases, their wetlands can even stop fire in its tracks.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s a wildfire right next door,” says study leader Emily Fairfax, an ecohydrologist at California State University Channel Islands. “Beaver-dammed areas are green and happy and healthy-looking.”

Beavers aren’t just dam-builders; they’re ecosystem engineers who create wetlands, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity. Yet in North America, they’re often trapped and killed as nuisances. Imagine what would change if, instead of removing them, we embraced their role in restoring degraded landscapes. 

Despite their immense ecological benefits, beavers are still trapped and hunted in every U.S. state, often treated as nuisances rather than the keystone species they are. Their dams, which slow water, reduce wildfires, and create vital wetland habitats, are frequently labeled as problems and destroyed to accommodate short-term human interests. People complain that beavers eat and use their favorite trees for dams without looking at the larger picture.

Time and time again, we see that beavers provide far more value alive than as a pelt. It’s time to shift our perspective—to recognize beavers not as pests, but as partners in conservation. Instead of killing them for a fur coat, we should be protecting and working alongside them to restore ecosystems, build climate resilience, and secure clean water for future generations.

This Czech beaver brigade offers a powerful reminder: nature knows what it’s doing. Too often, humans believe we must control nature to make it function properly. But in reality, ecosystems have been self-regulating for millions of years. Instead of constantly trying to dominate the natural world, what if we stepped back and let it do what it does best?

Beavers already have the blueprint—we just need to get out of their way.

Arizonans Rally Against Hounding—and HB 2552

Arizonans Rally Against Hounding—and HB 2552

Arizona rally against hound hunting and oppose a bill that would have removed the public's ability to petition the Game and Fish commission to end this practice. Five hounds stick their head out of the "box"on the back of truck that transports them to a hunting site. Photo originally posted on Game and Fish Magazine and taken by Scott Haugen.

Photo originally posted on Game and Fish Magazine and taken by Scott Haugen.

Arizonans Rally Against Hounding—and HB 2552

Last week, more than 50 dedicated wildlife advocates joined us for a powerful webinar to discuss our campaign to end the cruel practice of hound hunting in Arizona. Our movement is growing, and your voices are making a difference.
Just hours before our webinar, we saw proof of that impact: HB2552, a bill designed to block the Arizona Game & Fish Commission from even considering a rule on hounding, failed to pass the Arizona House in a narrow 30-28 vote.

This is a major win for wildlife and for the democratic process, but the fight isn’t over yet.

HB2552: A Power Grab to Undermine Wildlife Protections

Arizona lawmakers wrote HB2552 for one reason: to strip the Game & Fish Commission of its authority before it could even consider our petition to end hounding. Rather than letting the public process play out, special interest groups and their political allies tried to preemptively shut it down.

HB2552 was not about science, conservation, or public input. It was about consolidating power, keeping decision-making in the hands of politicians, and catering to narrow special interests. This bill would have permanently blocked the Commission from regulating the use of hounds in hunting, no matter the ecological consequences or public will.

The defeat of HB2552 is a victory for everyone who believes wildlife policy should be shaped by science, ethics, and democratic participation—not backroom deals and industry lobbying.

Why does ending hounding matter? Our rulemaking petition calls for an end to the use of packs of dogs to chase down and kill bears, mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife. This brutal practice is not only inhumane but also poses serious risks to non-target species, including endangered jaguars, ocelots, and Mexican wolves.

Hounding violates fundamental principles of fair chase and creates chaos in ecosystems, forcing animals to flee over long distances in terror. It even puts hikers, pets, and other public land users at risk. Ending hounding is a necessary step toward a more just, science-based wildlife management system in Arizona.

Take Action

While HB2552 was defeated, we know that industry-backed politicians will continue trying to obstruct wildlife protections. We must stay engaged and hold our elected officials accountable.

Here’s what you can do:
➡ Contact your legislator – Thank them if they opposed HB2552, or ask them to reconsider their vote if they supported it. Let them know that wildlife policy should be based on science and public input, not political favors.
➡ Support our rulemaking petition – The fight to end hounding in Arizona is far from over. The Game & Fish Commission needs to hear from you! Stay tuned for opportunities to submit public comments and show up in person.
➡ Spread the word – The more Arizonans know about hounding, the stronger our movement becomes. Share this blog post and talk to friends, family, and community members about why ending hounding matters.
➡ Show up on April 11 – The Commission will meet to discuss wildlife rules, and we need to make our presence known. Even if you don’t want to speak, wearing red will signal our strength and unity.

Last night’s webinar proved that Arizonans are ready for change. The failure of HB2552 shows that even against powerful special interests, we can win. Let’s keep up the momentum and fight for a future where wildlife is managed with ethics, science, and public accountability at the forefront.

End Hound Hunting In Arizona

End hound hunting in Arizona to protect wildlife.

Images of animals who are hounded in Arizona: bobcat, ocelot, jaguar, black bear, mountain lion

Hound Hunting in Arizona: Take Action to Protect Wildlife

Arizona’s wildlife is facing an unnecessary and outdated threat: the use of packs of hunting dogs to pursue and kill mammals like mountain lions, bears, coyotes, and bobcats. This cruel practice, known as hounding, doesn’t just harm the target animals—it also puts federally protected animals, entire ecosystems, and even public safety at risk. 

That’s why a group of organizations—including the Center for Biological Diversity, the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club, the Mountain Lion Foundation, Lobos of the Southwest, Wild Earth Guardians, Wildlife for All, Conservation CATalyst, Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center and Animal Defense League of AZ—submitted a rulemaking petition to the Arizona Game & Fish Commission to end hound hunting in Arizona.

Now, we need your voice to help make this change a reality.

A red hound wearing a GPS collar in the lower right corner of the image bays at a mountain lion in a tree. Wildlife organizations have filed a rulemaking petition with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to end hound hunting in Arizona to protect wildlife.

Arizona’s Game & Fish Department has a legal duty to protect the state’s wildlife. However, current regulations still permit hounding for mountain lions almost year-round and allow hounding for bobcats, foxes, and badgers for eight months annually. Shockingly, some species—including coyotes, skunks, and rabbits—can be hunted with hounds year-round with no restrictions.

This level of unregulated, relentless pursuit is not sustainable or humane. Between 2020 and 2023, hound hunting led to the killing of 748 mountain lions and 323 black bears in Arizona alone. This high level of hunting pressure is neither ethical nor scientifically justified.

The Dangers of Hound Hunting

Hound hunting is more than just an extreme form of hunting. It involves packs of dogs chasing animals for miles, often for hours or even days, until the exhausted prey can no longer run. The practice causes immense stress and suffering—not just for the intended targets, but for many other species as well.

Hounding harms federally protected species. Arizona is home to rare and endangered species, including jaguars, Mexican gray wolves, and ocelots. These animals have already suffered due to habitat destruction and human activity, and hounding only increases the risks they face:

  • Jaguars: At least five of the last eight jaguars documented in the Southwest have been impacted by hound hunting, with some being chased, treed, or forced to relocate. Hounding is allowed in 65% of federally designated jaguar critical habitat within the Coronado National Forest.
  • Ocelots: These mid-sized cats are at risk of being chased or killed due to their resemblance to bobcats, a legal target for hounding. Records and hunter testimonials confirm that ocelots have been pursued and treed by hounds at least a dozen times with no repercussions from AZGF.An ocelot lounges on rocks, looking at the camera with its body angled to the right and behind it. Image by Tom Smylie. Ocelots are sometimes treed by hound hunters in Arizona.
  • Mexican gray wolves: Arizona acknowledges the risk of mistaken identity between wolves and coyotes, especially during summer months when wolf pups are active. Hounding of coyotes in wolf-occupied areas increases the risk of harm to these endangered animals.

Hounding has ecological and ethical concerns. Beyond direct harm to individual animals, hounding disrupts ecosystems
because packs of hunting dogs create a “landscape of fear.”

  • Wildlife are constantly on edge, disrupting natural behaviors and migrations. Uncontrolled packs of dogs chasing
    wildlife across large areas will affect their normal behaviors, causing countless species to abandon habitat which particularly harms ground-nesting birds.
  • Hounded animals experience extreme stress, which can affect reproduction rates and territorial behavior, leading to broader ecological consequences. Hound hunting has huge impact on deer populations and deeply affects fawn survival.
  • The use of vehicles off designated roads, such as ATVs, to follow hounds is in violation of Arizona’s prohibition on  using motor vehicles to pursue or take wildlife.
  • Arizona regulations require hunters to be present for the entire hunt. However, GPS and telemetry technology allow hunters to track hounds remotely, often violating the intent of this rule.
  • Arizona allows commercial guiding services to use hounds for hunting on public lands, even in areas where protected species like jaguars and Mexican wolves are known to roam. This increases risks to these species and public land ecosystems.
  • There are documented instances of packs of hounds attacking hikers  and mauling pets, making public lands feel unsafe for families with pets or kids due to uncontrolled hounds.

A snapshot of the 2021-2022 Arizona hunting guide that shows its fair chase policy. Wildlife organizations have filed a rulemaking petition with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to end hound hunting in Arizona to protect wildlife. The Myths of Hound Hunting

Some claim that hound hunting helps manage wildlife populations or benefits conservation, but the facts tell a different story:

  • Hound hunting isn’t selective. Packs of dogs chase any animal they come across, including non-target and protected species. 
  • Hounding can spread diseases like rabies impacting public health and safety. One hound hunter lost an entire pack to a rabies infection after his dogs encountered—and killed—an infected skunk, which he did not witness. He only discovered the rabies infection later. Arizona is currently experiencing a number of rabies outbreaks in several counties.
  • Killing carnivores can increase conflict. Removing mature, established cougars or bears disrupts ecosystems and can lead to more human-wildlife conflicts.
  • Hound hunting doesn’t help deer populations. Science shows that factors like habitat loss and climate change have a far greater impact on deer numbers than carnivore populations.
  • Hound hunting provides little revenue. The financial contribution of cougar and bear hunting is minimal compared to the damage it causes to Arizona’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Some Arizona Lawmakers Are Trying to Silence Us 

Some Arizona lawmakers introduced HB2552, a blatant attempt to silence public input and scientific debate on wildlife policy—just as the Commission is set to consider our two petitions to ban this cruel and ecologically damaging practice. 

HB2552 was revised from its original intent that would have stripped the Arizona Game and Fish Commission of its authority to regulate hound hunting instead of allowing a fair and open debate on our petition—a move that would set a dangerous precedent for wildlife governance in Arizona. However, this revised version still codifies hound hunting into law in an attempt to pre-empting the public petition process through the Commission. Read more about this bill. 

Join Us in Protecting Arizona’s Wildlife

Arizona’s hounding regulations are outdated, inhumane, and ecologically destructive. It’s time for change. Ending recreational hound hunting will:

  • Reduce the risk to rare and federally protected species.
  • Protect entire ecosystems from unnecessary stress and harm.
  • Ensure Arizona’s wildlife management aligns with modern conservation values.

We need your support to get these rulemaking petitions passed. Take action today by urging the Arizona Game & Fish Commission to ban hound hunting. 

How To Take Action:

  • Write the Arizona Game & Fish Commission members to support our rulemaking petitions. Use this page: scroll to each member and use the form linked after their bios that says “Contact Me.”
  • Contact your state senator and urge them to oppose HB2552.
  • Reach out to Governor Hobbs and let her know where you stand. Ask her to veto HB2552 if it comes across her desk.
  • Write a letter to the editor of your local paper to raise awareness.
  • Recruit others by sharing this information on social media and within your community.
  • Show up on April 11 when we present these petitions at the Arizona Game and Fish Commission meeting in Phoenix. You don’t have to speak—just being there and wearing red will show our collective power!

 

Thank you for taking action! Let’s End Hound Hunting in Arizona.

Center for Biological DiversityWildEarth Guardians Mountain Lion FoundationLogo for Conservation CATalyst

New Mexico Reform Bill SB 5 Passes the Senate

Great news: New Mexico wildlife governance reform bill SB 5 passes the Senate.

An image of the logo of the coalition to pass SB 5 with the message, "SB 5 passes the Senate with a 28-12 bipartisan vote."

 

Momentum for Wildlife: SB 5 Passes the Senate—Onward to the House!

Big news out of New Mexico! Senate Bill 5 has officially passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support and is now headed to the House of Representatives. With three weeks left in the legislative session, we’re calling on House members to get this historic bill across the finish line!

SB 5 is a groundbreaking step for wildlife governance:
SB 5 represents a rare and powerful example of bipartisan leadership and broad coalition-building. Conservation advocates, hunters, scientists, and policymakers from across the political spectrum came together to support this bill, which will provide the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish with the tools, authority, and funding needed to modernize wildlife management.

This is not just a victory for New Mexico—it’s a model for the nation. SB 5 proves that when we prioritize science, ecosystems, and public interest over outdated special-interest politics, we can build a future where wildlife and people thrive together.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible. This victory wouldn’t have happened without the leadership of Senators Wirth, Campos, and Brantley, as well as the many organizations and individuals who worked tirelessly to push this bill forward. We are proud to be part of a coalition of 20+ organizations representing tens of thousands of New Mexicans who support this effort.

What’s Next?

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where we need all hands on deck to ensure its passage before the session ends on March 22. Stay tuned for action alerts—we need your voice to make sure New Mexico leads the way in creating a wildlife management system that works for all.

Screenshot of an op-ed by SB 5's sponsors in the Santa Fe New Mexican to celebrate SB 5 passes in the Senate.

Read More

Game Commission overhaul passes Senate after three-hour debate
By Nathan Brown, Mar. 1, 2025, Santa Fe New Mexican 

NM lawmakers are considering reforming the Game Commission. What does that mean?
By Hannah Grover, New Mexico Political Report, Mar. 3, 2025

Bill aiming to reform New Mexico game commission passes Senate
By Isaac Cruz, KRQE News, Mar. 3, 2025

Bipartisan reform of State Game Commission deserves support
Op-ed by Pete Campos and Peter Wirth, Santa Fe New Mexican, Feb. 28, 2025 

After fishy debate, Senate approves bill modernizing NM Game and Fish department
By Dan Boyd / Journal Capitol Bureau, Albuquerque Journal, Mar. 1, 2025

 

 

DEFEND DEMOCRACY. PROTECT WILDLIFE. DEMAND LEADERSHIP.