Wolf Population In Idaho Will Be Decimated By Hunters After Governor Signs Bill Allowing 90% To Be Killed

A massive cull on gray wolves is set to take place in Idaho after controversial bill is signed into law.

Governor Brad Little signed a bill last week that will allow hunters and private contractors to kill 90% of the state’s 1500 wolves.

After the hunt, only 150 wolves would remain in the state, the minimum number required to abide by a 2002 conservation agreement.

Photo: Pixabay

Environmental groups and Idaho Fish and Game Commission are against the bill and urged the governor to veto the bill, but to no avail.

The new law not only kills most of the state’s wolves, but according to the Associated Press, will allow hunters to use night-vision equipment, do aerial shoots from helicopters, chase wolves with ATV and snowmobiles, and allow pups to be killed if found on private land.

Photo: Pixabay

Ranchers and hunters were the major supporters of the bill and claim there are too many wolves in the state. They say they are killing livestock and hurting the deer and elk populations.

“We have areas of the state where the wolves are having a real detrimental impact on our wildlife,” said House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, co-sponsor of the bill.

Animal conservation groups are outraged by this “horrific wolf-killing bill”. Andrea Zaccardi, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said, “We’re disappointed that Gov. Little signed such a cruel and ill-conceived bill into law.”

Photo: Pixabay

Gray wolves nearly went extinct in the U.S. in the mid 1900’s due to overhunting. Sadly, it appears that history is about to repeat itself. Several states have scheduled wolf hunts which will kill hundreds of wolves.

Wisconsin recently held a wolf hunt where over 200 wolves were killed in less than three days.

“The heinous bill, which blatantly disregards science, ethics, and the desires of Idaho’s Fish and Game Department, will allow hunters, trappers, and private contract wolf killers to kill up to 90% of Idaho’s wolves via traps, snares, ATVs, snowmobiles and more,” posted Wolf Conservation Center.

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