Judge upholds ruling limiting wolf trapping, snaring in Idaho

Federal Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale on Tuesday upheld her prior decision to prohibit Idaho’s authorization of recreational wolf trapping and snaring in grizzly bear habitat during the grizzly bear non-denning season. 

Idaho had asked the judge to reconsider her March 2024 ruling that recreational wolf trapping and snaring threatens grizzly bears and subsequent remedial decision to curtail the wolf-trapping season, according to an Earthjustice press release.

The order prohibits wolf trapping and snaring in Idaho’s Panhandle, Clearwater, Salmon and Upper Snake regions from March 1 to Nov. 30.

The judge agreed to review the decision but ultimately stuck with her initial ruling, according to the press release. 

“Judge Dale’s initial decision was always the correct one to protect grizzly bears from state-authorized wolf trapping and snaring, and we also appreciate the time she took to get it right a second time,” said Ben Scrimshaw, senior associate attorney for Earthjustice’s Northern Rockies Office. “Grizzly bears forever belong in the West, and securing this decision is part of a bigger movement for true grizzly recovery.”

Roger Phillips, public information supervisor with Idaho Fish and Game, said when the original decision came down last spring they altered their wolf trapping seasons to comply with the judge’s original ruling and they will continue to do that.

"While we are disappointed in the judge’s ruling because there’s never been a grizzly death due to wolf traps in Idaho, and we feel the definition of 'grizzly habitat' far exceeds where grizzlies are found in Idaho, there will be no change in our wolf trapping due to this decision," he wrote.

In July 2021, Idaho established a permanent recreational wolf-trapping season on private property across the state, eliminating limits on the number of wolves one person can kill, and increasing payments to recreational trappers for each wolf they kill.

"Idaho’s decision to continue authorizing wolf baiting with meat and scent ensured that grizzly bears will be attracted to wolf traps and snares at high rates," the release said. 

“I’m celebrating this win for Idaho’s grizzlies after the judge made the right call, again,” said Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Grizzly bears already face so many threats to their survival and recovery. They shouldn’t have to risk getting hurt or killed by indiscriminate and cruel wolf traps.”

Dana Johnson, attorney and policy director for Wilderness Watch, said Dale’s reconsideration of the lawsuit reaffirms that Idaho’s wolf trapping program "presents an unlawful risk of death and harm to imperiled grizzly bears in the state."

“Much like wolves, grizzly bears belong in Idaho, and the court’s injunction is an important step in securing their right to exist and flourish free from persecution," Johnson said.