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Idaho, Mont. Wolf Hunts Head to Court

BY: Caroline Cournoyer | Idaho, Montana | November 8, 2011

After two failed attempts to temporarily halt the hunting of wolves in Idaho and Montana, wildlife advocates are trying a third time today, reports the Associated Press.

In an unprecedented step earlier this year, Congress took wolves off of the endangered species list in five states, including Idaho and Montana. Wildlife advocates immediately filed lawsuits, arguing that the government overstepped its bounds, and federal courts agreed to hear the case. But in the meantime, wildlife advocates want a court injunction to stop the wolf hunts that have killed more than 150 of the animals since late August. They argue that the speed at which the animals are being killed is likely to unravel the species’ recovery that took decades.

Congress initially lifted the hunting ban because the two states wanted to shrink the wolf population, which federal biologists said was healthy, to lessen their attacks on livestock like cattle, sheep, dogs and horses.

Wolves remain on the endangered species list in Wyoming, but the governor there -- Matt Mead -- recently struck a deal that -- pending legislative approval -- could allow wolf hunting as early as next year.

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Caroline Cournoyer

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's deputy web editor.

E-mail: ccournoyer@governing.com
Twitter: @governing

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