This year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced their intent to strip gray wolves of Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections across the lower 48 states.

This decision comes despite robust scientific opposition and concern that the delisting will result in wolves being killed during hunting seasons. History tells us that when wolves lose federal protections, they’re often soon targeted by cruel wolf hunting seasons sponsored by state wildlife agencies.

One of the main arguments in support these hunting seasons is that killing wolves will decrease livestock attacks but science tells us that this will only exacerbate attacks. Rather, livestock owners and lawmakers should practice non-lethal methods of deterring wolves, thus keeping both wolves and livestock safe.