Idaho gets no takers for wolves

Idaho isn't getting into the wolf export business any time soon. Earlier this year, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Cal Groen sent letters offering up Idaho wolves to any state that wanted to manage them. So far, at least 20 states have rejected Idaho's pitch to trap and export some of its wolves. A bill approved by the 2009 Legislature required the department to explore the idea. Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, the bill's sponsor, says he didn't expect any takers. Instead, he said the pitch to other states is an attempt to help insulate the state against claims that could be made in lawsuits by environmentalists opposed to the federal government's decision to take wolves off the endangered species list. He said environmentalists could argue that if Idaho wants to reduce its wolf numbers, then it should give them away instead of killing or allowing public hunts. Idaho is now poised to have its first wolf hunting season in decades this fall. The state Fish and Game Commission later this month will review hunting quotas and rules for hunting...AP