Mexican Gray Wolf: The Threat Keeps Growing

Wolf numbers hit a record 319. Arizona ranchers are getting hammered. State pushback is stalling. The federal fix is our only real play.

The Numbers

319 Mexican gray wolves now roam Arizona and New Mexico; up from 286 in 2024, a 10th straight year of growth
All 319 descend from just 7 founding wolves; the gene pool is nearly as narrow as full siblings
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) encompasses Arizona and New Mexico from Interstate 40 south to the Mexican border, covering millions of acres of federal, state, tribal, and private lands.

What It's Costing Ranchers

A 2025 University of Arizona study found even modest wolf presence: 2% calf loss + 3.5% weight reduction + average management costs - can slash ranch revenues by 28%
Conflict-avoidance measures alone cost ranchers an average of $79 per cow per year, cutting net returns by 19% before a single calf is lost
Each calf killed represents a $1,336 full loss in revenue (2024 market value)
2025 depredation reports: 134 confirmed livestock kills in New Mexico, 22 in Arizona and peer-reviewed research shows 5.1 additional head go missing for every one that's confirmed
In Catron County, NM alone: confirmed kills = $233,200 in losses. Applying the 5.1 multiplier adds another $1.19 million in presumed losses - in one county
55% of surveyed ranchers had at least one depredation go entirely uncompensated

What "Downlisting" Actually Means

The feds are teasing downlisting from "endangered" to "threatened"; don't be fooled
The threshold requires a 4-year average of 320 wolves; which has not yet been met
Even after that, full delisting requires 8 more years above 320 plus 22 captive wolves surviving to breeding age
"Threatened" still means federal protection; ranchers would still be handcuffed

ARIZONA LEGISLATURE: WHERE THINGS STAND

The big wolf bills are dead or vetoed. One compensation bill is still alive. The real battle is in Washington.

Bills Still Moving

HB2156 (Livestock Compensation Fund — Rep. Lupe Diaz): Passed Senate Appropriations 7-3 with $250,000 appropriation for wolf depredation losses. Heading to Senate Rules Committee. Still alive.
SB1280 (Ban wolf pup transport — Sen. Farnsworth): Prohibits the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from bringing Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona and forbids the use of taxpayer-funded resources to support those transports. The legislation advanced through the House and was transmitted to the Senate on June 9, 2026.

Bills That Are Dead or Vetoed

HB2787 (Federal nullification of wolf reintroduction) — VETOED by the Governor
HB2159 (Landowner permits to kill wolves) — Inactive
HB2158 (Redefine wolves as predatory animals) — Inactive
HB2161 (Sovereign authority; ESA) — Inactive
HB2160 (Wolf management committee) — Inactive

Bottom Line: Arizona's Governor killed the strongest wolf bill of the session. The state legislature has done what it can. The fix has to come from Congress.

THE FEDERAL PLAY: PET AND LIVESTOCK PROTECTION ACT

The House passed it. The Senate needs to hear from you. Now.

H.R. 845 — Pet and Livestock Protection Act (Reps. Tiffany & Boebert): Passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support. Delists gray wolves from the ESA, restores state management authority, and blocks activist groups from using the courts to overturn it again
H.R. 4255 — Enhancing Safety for Animals Act (Rep. Paul Gosar, AZ): Passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee. Specifically targets the Mexican gray wolf for delisting and returns management to Arizona and New Mexico
Three presidents — Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden — all concluded the gray wolf is recovered. Lawsuits have reversed every delisting. This bill closes that loophole permanently

TAKE ACTION — Call Your U.S. Senators:

📞 Sen. Mark Kelly — (202) 224-2235

📞 Sen. Ruben Gallego — (202) 224-4521

Tell them: Pass H.R. 845. Arizona ranchers can't wait another decade.

GOOD NEWS FOR ANGLERS: FISH250 CHALLENGE

Arizona is celebrating America's 250th by getting people outside. Anglers get swag for fishing two community waters and five lakes or streams.

AZGFD's Fish250 Challenge is part of the nationwide America250 commemoration
To complete it: fish 2 Community Fishing Program waters + 5 Arizona lakes or streams + have 0 bad days
Take photos at each location, submit the completion form at azgfd.com/fish250 before end of August and receive a Fish250 Sticker Pack
Open to all experience levels; a great way to get new hunters and anglers into the field

We’re building a strong and connected community across Arizona, and we’d love for you to be part of it! Be sure to join our Arizona State Chapter Facebook group and follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on events, important updates, advocacy efforts, and opportunities to connect with fellow members. Together, we can make an even greater impact for hunters, conservation, and our outdoor heritage. We look forward to seeing you online and at future chapter events!