New Wolf Rules Allow Flexibility in S. W. MT

[BigHornRam]

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A landowner in southwest Montana fatally shot a gray wolf that the man said was chasing his livestock, a state wolf official said Friday. Federal authorities are investigating.

The shooting is the fourth in the state since federal rules took effect giving landowners more flexibility to protect their livestock from the predators. It is the third such fatal shooting in southwest Montana, said Carolyn Sime, wolf management coordinator for the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The wolf was shot on private property Thursday by a landowner near Wisdom, the department said.




Rules allow landowners and others in parts of Montana and Idaho to kill wolves attacking, chasing or harassing livestock. Shootings must be reported, and Sime said landowners have been "very forthright" in doing so.

Sime said she was not sure if any livestock involved in the cases had been killed or injured. She said she also wasn't sure if the wolves had been harassed before being shot.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Gosh, how come Wyoming doesn't have these rules????

 

[BigHornRam]

Jose,

Wyoming is busy busy busy working on a plan to manage grizzlies when they are delisted (which is schedualed for this fall). Wyoming stuck to their guns, and still has a bison hunt. Montana caved and doesn't. Wyoming stuck to their guns to develope a good wolf management plan. The feds so far have not given it their blessing. Montana and Idaho caved and submitted wimpy wolf management plans. For this the feds have allowed the Idaho and Montana ranchers to do their dirty work. Guess this is better than having a bunch of high dollar federal employees buzzing around in high dollar helicopters, blazing away at wolves. My money says Wyoming has a season on grizzly before Montana and Idaho has a season on wolves. Any takers?