Institutional Predator Management in the Western States, USA: A Study of Policy Bias

Wildlife management policies are determined within regulatory hierarchies: federal, state, county. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) supercedes state wildlife policies. When ESA de-listed, wildlife management defaults to state regulations. Although required to comply with the ESA, states notoriously favor non-predatory game over predatory species. The challenge is to transition from federal to state control without diminishing protection. This work examines predator management policies compared to non-predatory game policies in the Western States. I tested for bias by determining the minimum actions required to take study mammals. The results yielded qualitative values indicating consistent bias against predatory mammals. Findings indicate ethical and unethical biases within existing state policies. I offer policy suggestions that are ethical and include the emergent public safety issues due to an ever-expanding urban-wild interface. I encourage officials from wildlife agencies, academics, ranchers, environmental advocates, land-use advocates, and others with an interest in how we shape our landscapes and the ecological processes operating within them to read this book.