MT Seeks To Restore Hunting For Endangered Wolves
MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press Writer
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials say they may seek a special federal permit to allow the public hunting of gray wolves despite a court order that returned the animals to the endangered species list.
Carolyn Sime, wolf program coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said Wednesday the permit was one of several options in trying to restore wolf hunting following the Aug. 5 ruling from U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy.
Other possibilities include downgrading wolves from endangered to threatened and seeking federal permission to kill wolves that prey on big game herds.
But Sime says it is unlikely anything will be done in time to restore the 2010 hunting seasons in Montana and neighboring Idaho. Both states held inaugural wolf hunts last year.