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Livestock producers ponder “What if gray wolves are de-listed?”

Great Lakes livestock producers are wondering what wolf management might look like IF gray wolves are de-listed from the Endangered Species List.

North-central Minnesota cattle rancher Miles Kuschel says because wolves are protected, the most he can do for his animals is employ scare tactics.

“Try to get some blinking lights, some flashing, loud noises is about all we’re able to do legally. After they get de-listed, it’ll be interesting to see what the state does. Because once it’s de-listed from the federal level, obviously it returns to the state.”

Kuschel tells Brownfield he attended a wolf de-listing meeting in Brainerd earlier this year with DNR, Fish and Wildlife officials, and other livestock producers like cattleman Keith Carlson of east-central Minnesota.

“If the wolf could be de-listed, we know that in our area alone, and I think it’s kind of statewide, the number of wolves is quite high. We would hope that with that, they would have a hunting (or) trapping season.”

Carlson says even without a hunting or trapping season, producers would still be able to legally protect their livestock once the gray wolf is de-listed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s extended comment period for the proposed rule to return wolf management to individual states ended in mid-July.  The Federal Register website does not say when a final rule will be published.

Brownfield spoke to Carlson and Kuschel at the Minnesota State Fair Thursday.

Miles Kuschel audio:

Keith Carlson audio: