Federal authorities removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list in May. Yesterday, Idaho's Fish & Game Commission voted 4-3 to allow up to 220 wolves to be killed by hunters this fall (stories from the Missoulian, Boise Weekly, and the Spokesman Review). The three dissenting votes were from commissioners who wanted to allow more wolves to be taken.
The season will start on the 1st of September in some parts of the state and run through December 31st.
Chairman Wayne Wright, one of the dissenters, declared, "Now's the time to do the right thing. ... Neither our state's economy, our ranchers, our sportsmen or our elk herds can wait any longer." (from the Spokesman Review article)Idaho Fish & Game currently estimates that there are about 1020 in the state. The original recovery goal set by the Fish & Wildlife Service for Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming was only 300 wolves. Supporters of the hunt contend that the wolf population is now secure and can be hunted without endangering it. Opponents threaten legal action.
The season will start on the 1st of September in some parts of the state and run through December 31st.
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