Wolf Hunting To Close In NW MT As Quota Reached

Wildlife officials say wolf hunting will close in portions of northwest Montana on Thursday after hunters filled the harvest quota for the area. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Tom Palmer said hunters filled the 19-wolf quota for a wildlife management area that includes portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties.

Palmer says the season will remain open until one half-hour after sunset Thursday to accommodate hunters already in the field. At least 122 wolves have been killed by hunters in Montana so far this year, out of a statewide quota of 220.

In neighboring Idaho, hunters have claimed 172 wolves and trappers 18. There are no quotas on wolves across most of Idaho.Congress recently lifted endangered species protections for more than 1,300 wolves in the two states.

Story from Associated Press