Montana OKs using hunters to kill wolves for livestock depredations

Montana ranchers whose livestock is killed by wolves will be allowed to use hunters, in addition to federal agents, to remove those wolves under a proposal adopted Thursday by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission. Ranchers still need to go through the original process. They have authority to shoot a wolf in the process of harassing livestock, but if they don't see it happen, they must call Wildlife Services to confirm the kill and get authorization to kill the offending wolves. If agents with Wildlife Services - a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - aren't able to complete the removal of wolves, the rancher now can call upon a hunter to do the job. "The idea has had a fair amount of discussion ... and this is the application of another tool - the hunters - that we can rely on, in coordination with Wildlife Services and the landowner," said Quentin Kujala, the FWP wildlife management section chief...more