Hunters more than halfway to 1st Wyo. wolf quota

Hunters are more than halfway toward meeting the quota for Wyoming’s first wolf hunt since the animals were reintroduced to the Yellowstone region in the 1990s.

The hunt began Oct. 1 and continues through Dec. 31.

The quota for this year’s hunt is 52 animals. As of Monday, hunters had killed 27 wolves.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed wolves from endangered species protection in Wyoming last summer.

Wolves are classified as trophy game animals outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in northwest Wyoming and are subject to regulated hunting in that area. Wolves elsewhere in the state are classified as predators and can be shot on sight without a license.

Wyoming is home to an estimated 328 wolves.