Hunters being given chance to manage wolves

The trial run was interesting but inconclusive. The real Montana wolf hunt begins this Sunday, and a lot rides on its results. Ranchers, hunters, wolf advocates and wolf biologists all want to see how effective citizen hunters can be against the state's newest predator. Whether Montana's quota of 75 wolves is met or missed, the 2009 hunting season will be an important piece of evidence in the federal lawsuit over the predator's endangered species status. "A big question everybody had was: Will it be just like Alaska and Canada" where wolf hunting has low success? wondered Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wolf program coordinator Carolyn Sime. "Here, Montanans know the field and know their hunting areas, and will be present where wolves are. We have a lot more to learn." Sime wants to know if hunters can be as effective as state and federal damage control officers in keeping wolf populations in check. Ranchers want to know if the hunt will discourage wolves from attacking domestic livestock. Hunters want to know if wolves are truly cutting into their big-game opportunities, and if they can push back. And wolf advocates wonder if the hunt will set back their hopes for a Montana landscape with all its natural wildlife intact...read more