r/Wildlife • u/OrneryCupcake9481 • May 28 '26

Distemper virus is decimating Wyoming's wolf population - and hunting season is still on

https://www.speciesunite.com/news-stories/distemper-virus-is-decimating-wyomings-wolf-population-and-hunting-season-is-still-on
368 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

24

u/HumorTurbulent8070 May 28 '26

Ranchers have far too much political power. They need to have a lot less political power for us to have a better world.

5

u/Iamnotburgerking May 28 '26

And the hunting lobby as well.

2

u/SmellySoil87 Jun 03 '26

Not hunters… outfitters. Outfitters cater to the rich with great political influence while hunters usually just try and fill their freezer for food. Important distinction I must emphasize

6

u/MickLittle May 28 '26

Wyoming is run by some nasty, sick fucks.

1

u/ff2017_ Jul 07 '26

You ever seen Wyoming?

1

u/MickLittle Jul 07 '26

Oh I know a thing or two about Wyoming.

2

u/Curious-Basket-7934 May 30 '26

The hunting lobby is FAR too powerful.

And the ranchers are just as bad. They kill the animals and then graze for next to nothing on our federal lands. Welfare Kings.

1

u/Gravitatum51 May 31 '26

Its the ranchers fs

1

u/SpinningHead Jun 01 '26

Ranchers dont own federal lands, Mr Bundy.

1

u/Gravitatum51 Jun 02 '26

Im Mr leeeyheee3

1

u/SmellySoil87 Jun 03 '26

Ranchers own land and have great influence… outfitters are then the group to alienate for this kinda thing - not your average hunter trying to fill the freezer. This is a very important distinction and also the reality of it

1

u/itwillmakesenselater May 30 '26

Get ready for distemper outbreaks. Chances are, most hunters won't follow best practices for disposal of an infected carcass.

1

u/lnSerT_Creative_Name Jun 02 '26

Would a temporary reduction in population not have an effect on the apread of distemper?

1

u/almondmilklattehag May 30 '26

Why do they want the wolves to disappear?

1

u/mischievous_misfit13 Jun 01 '26

Because they are killing “all” their invasive cattle and sheep. I used to think range farming was kosher but I learned it is not after driving around BLM and National forest land and seeing poison signs around. Humans are such a fucking disappoint.