Federal officials deny Montana’s request to hold a ‘conservation hunt’ for endangered wolves

Federal officials deny Montana’s wolf hunt request

HELENA, Mont. — Federal officials have denied Montana’s request to hunt endangered gray wolves in response to the predators’ increasing attacks on livestock and big-game herds.

The state hoped to exploit a loophole in the federal Endangered Species Act and hold a “conservation hunt” for up to 186 wolves this fall.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Daniel Ashe denied the request Thursday, saying that his agency supports sport hunting of wolves, but would not expect approval of Montana’s proposal to survive a legal challenge.

A federal judge in August restored wolves in Montana and Idaho to the endangered species list following a lawsuit from environmentalists.