Background
The legal battle over the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains began in earnest in early 2024, when a coalition of anti-hunting organizations—including the Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Sierra Club—sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These extremist groups challenged the FWS’s February 2024 decision that Northern Rocky Mountain wolves are fully recovered and do not warrant relisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
From the start, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (SAF), alongside Safari Club International and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, moved to intervene. We refused to let these groups dominate the courtroom. After the plaintiffs were forced to dismiss and refile their initial lawsuit due to a procedural error (filing a day too early), SAF immediately intervened again to ensure that the defense of science-based management remained robust.
Impact to Hunters
This litigation represents more than just a legal dispute over one species; it is a direct attack on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The goal of these lawsuits is to strip states of their management authority, effectively ending wolf hunting and trapping traditions that maintain ecological balance.
Perhaps most concerning is the legal standard the plaintiffs are pushing. The recent court ruling suggests that unless a species is recovered across its “entire historical range,” it must remain federally protected. This standard ignores the reality of modern habitats and distinct population segments. If allowed to stand, it could make delisting any species nearly impossible, permanently sidelining hunters and trappers from their vital role in wildlife management.
Where We Stand Now
In March 2025, SAF moved for summary judgment, arguing that the FWS’s denial of the relisting petition was supported by undeniable data showing wolf populations have exceeded recovery goals. Unfortunately, in August 2025, a Montana District Court judge ruled against the FWS, vacating their decision to deny relisting.
SAF wasted no time. On the very same day as the adverse ruling, we filed a notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. While the lower court’s decision is a setback, it is not the end. SAF is committed to this fight for the long haul. We are now preparing to take this battle to the higher court to overturn this flawed ruling, defend the FWS’s science, and secure the future of state-led wildlife management.
Help Us Fight for You
Your tax-deductible donation to the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund directly supports our legal fights in courtrooms nationwide. The Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund was established to represent sportsmen in lawsuits that affect your ability to hunt, fish, trap and own firearms. Its funding ensures the sportsman’s voice is heard above the rhetoric of anti-hunting groups.
Join the fight for your hunting and fishing future by donating to the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund today!
