Gray wolf returned to protected status in Great Lakes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal protection for wolves in the western Great Lakes region, including the northern half of Iowa, was reinstated in a Dec. 19 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The ruling, published Friday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, again classifies as endangered gray wolves in all of Wisconsin and Michigan, the eastern half of North Dakota and South Dakota, the northern half of Iowa, the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana, and the northwestern portion of Ohio. Wolves in Minnesota are again classified as threatened, the ruling stated.

In Iowa, where wolves already were protected under state law, coyote hunters are encouraged to review the characteristic differences that distinguish a wolf from a coyote.

In general, wolves are larger and bulkier, while coyotes are shorter, sleek and lighter on their feet.

Though gray wolves have not reproduced in Iowa for many decades, wolves occasionally visit the state.

Last year, coyote hunters shot at least two wolves in Iowa. In January of this year, a trail camera in an unspecified Iowa location photographed an animal that appears to be a wolf, according to Department of Natural Resources furbearer biologist Vince Evelsizer.

Earlier this month a wolf-dog hybrid was shot in Franklin County, Evelsizer said.

The ruling ends recent wolf hunting seasons in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Residents of those states still can kill a wolf in self-defense but not to protect livestock or pets.