Star-Tribune Editorial Board

Now that it appears the federal government is no longer in its camp, Wyoming has a decision to make: keep fighting alone for its wolf management plan in court, or make changes that would likely pave the way for wolves to be removed from federal protection.

The best option may be to face reality and abandon the dual-classification system that allows some wolves to be shot on sight.

We have long said that wolves should be considered trophy game animals throughout the entire state, not just the northwestern area, where they can only be killed by licensed hunters under Wyoming's current plan. A bill calling for statewide trophy game management is being sponsored by Rep. Keith Gingery, R-Jackson.

Acceptance of Wyoming's wolf plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which led to the delisting of wolves in the Northern Rockies in March, has been rejected by a federal Montana judge. The environmental groups that sued the federal agency won a temporary injunction that halted planned wolf hunts in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho and put the animals back under federal protection.

Assuming that the state is unable to persuade the judge that the injunction isn't warranted, Gingery's bill should be passed by the Legislature when it meets next year.

Under the bill, ranchers - who strongly lobbied for the dual-classification system - would still be able to kill wolves that pose a direct threat to livestock. They would also be compensated by Wyoming for their losses throughout the entire state. The only thing ranchers would lose is the ability to shoot wolves anywhere at any time.

That's not nearly enough of a reason to prolong the court battle that has prevented delisting for many years.

Initially, Wyoming's fight was with Fish and Wildlife. When the agency finally approved the state's dual-classification system, both the feds and Wyoming found themselves on the same side.

But last week federal wolf officials indicated the agency plans to back down in the wolf delisting fight. Why Fish and Wildlife made the decision and precisely what it means to Wyoming's wolf management plan is unclear.

What does seem clear, however, is that Wyoming will have to stand alone. It was inexcusable for the feds to abandon the state, but the reality is that it would be difficult for Wyoming alone to persuade the judge to accept making most of the state a predator zone.

In addition to the environmental groups that sued, Wyoming has another foe: officials in Montana and Idaho who blame the state's plan for delaying delisting.

Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, said, "The state should say, 'This is our last best effort, either you accept it or reject it.'" But there's little reason to take such a stringent stand. Giving trophy game status to wolves throughout the state is a reasonable compromise that should finally ensure the overriding goal of delisting.

As Gingery said, "The people of Wyoming have a lot more trust in the Game and Fish Commission to make good management decisions, rather than a federal agency." So do we. Wyoming should do everything it can to get those important decisions back in the state's hands.