“Wildlife officials have shot and killed five wolves from a helicopter in the Clearwater Basin’s Lolo region since Wednesday.
Shooters for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services stooped Friday, saying weather conditions were no good for firing at the wolves from a helicopter.
Idaho Fish and Game biologists have recommended wolf numbers be reduced in the Lolo Zone to help struggling elk populations.
Wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the federal endangered species list more than a week ago and Idaho once again has authority to manage the animals.
In crafting plans for a public hunt this fall, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission is expected to set its goal for the wolf population at somewhere below 500 next week. Biologists estimate there are some 700 to 1,000 wolves in the state.
Fish and Game hopes to reduce wolf numbers to between 20 and 30 wolves in the two big game units that make up the Lolo zone. (Idaho Statesman)”
*Special thanks to Jason Ford of (http://www.koze950.com/2011/05/13/five-wolves-shot-in-idaho’s-lolo-zone-from-helicopter/) for providing this information.
The Wolf Preservation Blog 