Since 2012, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has had authority of the grey wolf population east of the Missouri River. A recent federal court decision has turned that authority over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has put the wolves back on the endangered species list. Keith Fisk is the GFP wildlife damage program administrator, and says this doesn’t change anything for those west of the river.
Fisk says the ruling came from the efforts of groups advocating for the protection of grey wolves, but he says it’s not something that makes a large impact on the wolves in the state.
He says because of the very small number of wolves in the state, livestock producers haven’t had to worry much about the predators’ impact on herds, despite their position on the endangered species list.
Fisk suggests that anyone with questions or issues about grey wolves should contact their regional wildlife damage specialist.
