Rancher kills wolf as it attacked sheep near Missoula

A rancher shot and killed one of two wolves as they attacked and killed a sheep just outside Missoula. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wolf specialist Liz Bradley said the incident happened Monday morning in Upper Miller Creek, approximately three miles from Missoula city limits. Bradley said she did not consider the attack to be a threat to nearby humans, adding that wolves follow wild game and there are many deer in that area. A federal wildlife worker confirmed the kill as wolf-related so the landowner is eligible to receive compensation for losing a sheep. Bradley said it was a justified wolf killing since the rancher caught the wolf in the act of attacking livestock. She believes the wolf pair tried to establish itself in a new area where the attack occurred...more