Officials announced Thursday that wolf management has reached a milestone toward an agreement between Wyoming and the federal government. 

Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe, left, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, right, listen as Wyoming Governor Matt Mead announces the state has nearly reached an agreement with the federal government regarding wolf management within the state at news conference Thursday, July 07, 2011, in Cheyenne, Wyo (Photo:Seneca Riggins)

Gov. Matt Mead, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe spoke Thursday afternoon regarding discussions on wolf management held minutes earlier that day in Cheyenne.

Mead announced a wolf management compromise has not been met yet, but is near a final solution.

“I’m pleased to report we agree in principle on some of those major issues,” Mead said. “I feel today we are closer, much, much closer than we have been since I took office on coming to an agreement.”

Mead added they hope to have a wolf management plan in place by the end of July and final package to present to legislature by fall.