The biggest opponents of allowing the wolf to continue enjoying federal protection under the ESA are the many sportsmen groups and organizations across the country. One, which has been recently launched just to fight this issue, is Big Game Forever, based out of Utah. Currently they are working hard to build support for H.R. 6028 and S.B. 3919. (www.biggameforever.com) Another is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, headquartered in Missoula, MT - smack dab in the center of where wolves are currently destroying big game herds. (www.rmef.org)

David Allen, C.E.O. of RMEF, states, "We feel that a Congressional solution is the best way to ensure management of wolves by the State of Montana and all other states across the country and puts an end to the one-sided litigation. We support the bi-partisan effort of the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 6028, co-sponsored by Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Texas) and Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), which provides a common-sense approach to this issue. We also support a version of the House bill that has been introduced in the U.S. Senate, S.B. 3919."

In regard to a coalition of sportsmen groups, agricultural groups, and landowners that has been formed to seek a firm, permanent resolution to this issue, Allen added, "We fundamentally believe that it is the states that should manage wildlife, not the federal government. It is our intention to seek a remedy that will address the wolf issue for all states, anything short of that will only result in more litigation and more expense for the taxpayers. It is time that the real science and true state management process determine how all wildlife is managed in this country."