Straight talk from the field — no fluff, no filters, just the hunt and the headlines.

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A Wyoming cattle rancher had an idea: What if American ranchers could help African villages protect their livestock without killing lions?

That idea turned into a 20-year conservation partnership — and now, thanks in part to Wyoming know-how, lion populations in several African regions are stabilizing and even growing again.

The program combines:

Full story (Cowboy State Daily):
👉 https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/12/07/wyoming-ranchers-dream-revives-lions-across-africa/

It’s rare to see a predator story with a win-win ending. This is one of them.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is on track for another record year of grizzly deaths — 72 so far, matching last year’s number.

According to wildlife officials, the causes break down into:

Biologists say the real issue is range expansion: grizzlies now occupy more of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho than at any point in modern history, pushing into places where people and livestock aren’t used to having them.

Full story (Cowboy State Daily):
👉 https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/12/07/greater-yellowstone-grizzly-death-toll-on-track-to-match-last-years-record-of-72/

No matter what side you’re on, the numbers prove one thing: grizzly management in the GYE is nowhere near settled.

👉 https://www.westernvantage.com/

Montana FWP is reviewing a bump in the statewide wolf quota to 500, aligning with state legislation aimed at reducing pack pressure on elk and deer.

Fresh snow last week increased tracks and howling reports in Units 36, 44, 45, 49 and across the Panhandle. Deer groups are shrinking into pockets, and wolves are keying in — classic December behavior.

GYE wolf packs are shadowing elk migration routes. If you’re predator hunting, glass the downwind edges of herds early and late.

Cold-Weather Lone Howls — With single-digit temps, wolves often respond slower but more aggressively. Extend your pause between sequences.

Your late-season base layer when the temps get stupid.
👉 https://www.sitkagear.com/products/core-merino-330-hoodie/optifade-elevated-ii

High-volume, crisp sound, proven for wolves & coyotes.
👉 https://www.amazon.com/FOXPRO-X24-Digital-Game-Call/dp/B07STNSDXL

Fast height adjustment for sitting, kneeling, or standing shots.
👉 https://www.cabelas.com/p/primos-trigger-stick-gen-3-tripod-shooting-stick

Great for zeroing or predator sets on ag fields.
👉 https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/shooting/shooting-rest

Snow tells the truth.
Yesterday I was following a perfect set of buck tracks — wide, heavy, weaving through scattered timber. Everything looked right. Then the story changed.

A single wolf track cut across the line.
The buck instantly shifted downhill into the thickest mess on the mountain.

No shot, no antlers, no photo.
But a reminder:

Animals don’t move randomly. Something always pushes them.
Snow lets you read the push.

More from that ridge later this week.

Quick shoulder tune-up before the shot:

Keeps your groups tight, even in the cold.

2026–27 Spots Available:

Intersted in a guided big game hunt? Elk Deer Bear Antelope. Just reply to this email with your interest and someone will be in touch.

Forward this email to a fellow hunter and hit reply saying “Shared.”
Earn bonus entries when the next WV giveaway launches:

Fresh snow, wolves moving, lions rebounding across the globe, and grizzlies making headlines again.

Thanks for reading Western Vantage — see you Wednesday.

— Matt