Restraining Order to Prevent Sherman Wolf Removal

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

I thought it was already a near act of God to get approval anymore to lethally remove a wolf so I figured it had to be pretty real to need to take one. Yet WWF has found a way to prevent our WDFW from doing its job....

https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates/court-approves-request-temporary-restraining-order-prevent-sherman-wolf-removal

Court approves request for temporary restraining order to prevent Sherman wolf removal
Publish date
Oct. 14, 2025
Today, Oct. 14, 2025, a King County Superior Court commissioner entered a temporary restraining order that prohibits the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from lethally removing one wolf from the Sherman pack in Ferry County.

As a result, the Department cannot remove a wolf from the Sherman pack as authorized by WDFW Deputy Director Amy Windrope on Oct. 9, 2025. Information about the authorization appears in a separate update.

Washington Wildlife First and other parties filed the initial petition for injunction and motion for a temporary restraining order after the Department announced the Deputy Director’s authorization.

King County Superior Court commissioner Mark Hillman found that the petitioners had met the criteria for temporary injunctive relief. The court will hold a preliminary injunction hearing on Oct. 28, 2025.

WDFW’s 2011 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (PDF) and wolf-livestock interaction protocol  (PDF)provide guidance on addressing wolf-livestock conflict, including lethal removal to address patterns of depredation, such as when department staff confirms three predations by wolves on livestock within 30 days or four within 10 months, where non-lethal deterrents have not prevented wolf-livestock conflict.

[bearhunter99]

 

Until we get the courts and "feelings" out of wildlife management we are screwed.  All of these decisions should be made by the wildlife biologists PERIOD.  Same with hound hunting, trapping, etc.....

[greenhead_killer]

Why is a king county judge ruling on what goes on in ferry county? Maybe try and stay in your lane.

[time2hunt]

Sounds like a local issue that should be dealt with appropriately.


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[Roslyn Rambler]

All this does is, increases the chances of a illegal killing.

A big middle finger to the conservation groups.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

Agree with the last two posts.  After one of my cows got attacked by a wolf and 200+ elk ran through all my fences in the last year, I will never call WDFW again.  Any problem with just get handled accordingly.  Their chit show is costing us thousands.....

[brokentrail]

I, myself, would like to see The Sportsmans Alliance, or any other group, in turn, go get the restraining order over-ruled and allow WDFW proceed.  One judge providing a restraining order and one judge saying the restraining order is out of bounds should cancel each other out and allow WDFW to do their job, and also do what was approved within the Wolf Management Plan.

I hope that this King County judge faces disciplinary action for this restraining order, once it is deemed inappropriate, and loses his job.  Judges are supposed to interpret and apply existing laws, the killing of a wolf per an approved management plan doesn't break, or even bend, any existing law.

I also wish WDFW had their own lawyers to do the above, every time some group decides to sue WDFW and keep them from doing their job.

[nwwanderer]

Check the wolf budget at WDFW, $1.6 million recently, less than $140,000 paid out for dead livestock.  Major cluster

[Humptulips]

I, myself, would like to see The Sportsmans Alliance, or any other group, in turn, go get the restraining order over-ruled and allow WDFW proceed.  One judge providing a restraining order and one judge saying the restraining order is out of bounds should cancel each other out and allow WDFW to do their job, and also do what was approved within the Wolf Management Plan.

I hope that this King County judge faces disciplinary action for this restraining order, once it is deemed inappropriate, and loses his job.  Judges are supposed to interpret and apply existing laws, the killing of a wolf per an approved management plan doesn't break, or even bend, any existing law.

I also wish WDFW had their own lawyers to do the above, every time some group decides to sue WDFW and keep them from doing their job.

It's a temporary restraining order meaning everything is frozen until they can have a full hearing on the 28th. I doubt any judge would intervene.

[brokentrail]

I, myself, would like to see The Sportsmans Alliance, or any other group, in turn, go get the restraining order over-ruled and allow WDFW proceed.  One judge providing a restraining order and one judge saying the restraining order is out of bounds should cancel each other out and allow WDFW to do their job, and also do what was approved within the Wolf Management Plan.

I hope that this King County judge faces disciplinary action for this restraining order, once it is deemed inappropriate, and loses his job.  Judges are supposed to interpret and apply existing laws, the killing of a wolf per an approved management plan doesn't break, or even bend, any existing law.

I also wish WDFW had their own lawyers to do the above, every time some group decides to sue WDFW and keep them from doing their job.

It's a temporary restraining order meaning everything is frozen until they can have a full hearing on the 28th. I doubt any judge would intervene.

Yea,  I don't doubt that at all,  I just wish that wasn't the case.

[Houndhunter]

Judges holding up all kinds of things these days...

[highcountry_hunter]

Check the wolf budget at WDFW, $1.6 million recently, less than $140,000 paid out for dead livestock.  Major cluster

The largest cattle producer in NE WA, who has suffered more cattle loss than any other producer in the state, refuses to accept a dollar from wdfw for depredations

[Boss .300 winmag]

Check the wolf budget at WDFW, $1.6 million recently, less than $140,000 paid out for dead livestock.  Major cluster

The largest cattle producer in NE WA, who has suffered more cattle loss than any other producer in the state, refuses to accept a dollar from wdfw for depredations

Who would that be?

[Dan-o]

Check the wolf budget at WDFW, $1.6 million recently, less than $140,000 paid out for dead livestock.  Major cluster

The largest cattle producer in NE WA, who has suffered more cattle loss than any other producer in the state, refuses to accept a dollar from wdfw for depredations

Do you know why he won't accept any of their money?

[bearpaw]

Wolves in WA is exactly how many of us said it would be from the beginning! No surprise!

Livestock reimbursement is a fallacy used by wolf groups and wolf loving F&G agencies to coerce the public into accepting wolves, most livestock producers are suffering losses without getting compensation as promised. The producer that has refused compensation is very principled, that's why he won't take their wolf money.

[highcountry_hunter]

Check the wolf budget at WDFW, $1.6 million recently, less than $140,000 paid out for dead livestock.  Major cluster

The largest cattle producer in NE WA, who has suffered more cattle loss than any other producer in the state, refuses to accept a dollar from wdfw for depredations

Do you know why he won't accept any of their money?

I think it’s a matter of pride, he told me that one day and I never dug too deep on it. 

[nwwanderer]

Money offered for direct kills is a very small % of the losses and comes with strings with the WDFW, a very discouraging process.  Lights, flags, range riders and more

[Smokeploe]

How can a state judge block anything to do with wolves, I thought and read that the wolf problem is a federal thing?

Smokeploe

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

How can a state judge block anything to do with wolves, I thought and read that the wolf problem is a federal thing?

Smokeploe

They are delisted federally in eastern WA. It’s entirely a state issue that there are no seasons and no bag limits and no management.


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[time2hunt]

How can a state judge block anything to do with wolves, I thought and read that the wolf problem is a federal thing?

Smokeploe

They are delisted federally in eastern WA. It’s entirely a state issue that there are no seasons and no bag limits and no management.


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Sounds like a good time


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[avidnwoutdoorsman]

How can a state judge block anything to do with wolves, I thought and read that the wolf problem is a federal thing?

Smokeploe

They are delisted federally in eastern WA. It’s entirely a state issue that there are no seasons and no bag limits and no management.


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Sounds like a good time


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lol you know what I meant. It’s why they aren’t a game animal and have seasons or bag limits like they should equivalent to ID. The feds turned them over to the state and the state gets to decide how the resource is managed or in this case mis-managed.


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[dc]

Well after just returning from a deer hunt in 101, i see the need to remove a wolf or 2.  The area I tend to hunt in the 101 has in the past 7 yrs had many deer seen every day, with sign galore.  This yr although deer were seen, it was a small number compared to yrs past.  Opening day, I ran into a wolf track in the soft dirt.  The next morning roughly 1 mile from the track I heard several wolfs howling across from me on the next ridge.  This was all fairly close to Sherman pass. 

[HUNTIN4SIX]

Check the wolf budget at WDFW, $1.6 million recently, less than $140,000 paid out for dead livestock.  Major cluster

The largest cattle producer in NE WA, who has suffered more cattle loss than any other producer in the state, refuses to accept a dollar from wdfw for depredations

Do you know why he won't accept any of their money?

I think it’s a matter of pride, he told me that one day and I never dug too deep on it.

He probably understands that taking money from government in this case could essentially be contracting.   WDFW doesn't just show up with a check.  Its one big game, I wouldn't except money either.  I was told I could get a elk depredation tag after 200+ elk ran through all my fences, and I said no.  Giving out depredation money and tags does nothing but give folks a warm fuzzy.  WDFW just plain needs to manage OUR wildlife better. It is an absolute chit show and seldom will they determine its a wolf kill anyway.  I was told a wolf attacked my cow, but it would still be undetermined since they didn't dee the wolf.
I cant even gather my thoughts on this subject, it pisses me off so bad....

[highcountry_hunter]

Sounds about right…

Getting reimbursed for depredations is small potatoes compared to mother cows that should have 90% pregnancy rates, yet are closer to 60% now due to stress. Or the fact that cattle aren’t gaining weight on summer range because they’re constantly running for their lives instead of grazing.