An Obama administration decision sought to remove gray wolves in the Great Lakes region from the endangered species list. However, a federal judge gave a 111-page opinion and ruled to keep the wolves on the list, resulting in a ban to trap and hunt wolves in the surrounding states. Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin were mainly affected by the ruling because they have allowed hunting and trapping of the wolves for one season already. There have been arguments on both side of the fence for these wolves. The Elkhart Truth reports, “Animal protection advocates repeatedly have sued over federal efforts to drop federal protections in both regions, arguing that the wolf’s situation remains precarious. Meanwhile, ranchers and farmers complain of heavy financial losses from wolf attacks on livestock.” As of today, it is only legal to shoot wolves if they are threatening human life. It is illegal to kill the wolves even if they are preying on livestock or pets.

Resources
Some Gray Wolves to be Returned to Endangered List, The Elkhart Truth
Gray Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Hunting and Trapping Guide​, Indiana Department of Natural Resources