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...