Idaho Fish and Game wants to spend $408,000 a year to count wolves

Idaho's top wildlife official on Tuesday requested authorization from state lawmakers to spend $408,000 to count wolves. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever told the Legislature's budget-setting committee that the expense would become part of the agency's annual budget to keep a running tally of the number of wolves in the state. Idaho stopped counting wolves in 2015 after it was no longer required to do so by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service following the lifting of protections for wolves under the Endangered Species Act. The move prompted speculation ranging from the wolf population getting out control to wolves heading toward extermination...MORE