Idaho officials reject bait hunting plan targeting wolves

Idaho officials have declined to move forward for now allowing the use of bait by hunters to specifically target wolves.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted 7-0 on Friday to direct the Department of Fish and Game to suspend an administrative process called negotiated rulemaking.

Commissioner Jerry Meyers says he would like more information about wolf baiting before moving ahead with any plan.

Idaho hunters are already allowed to kill wolves attracted to bait put out for bears.

The change considered by the commission could have allowed hunters to target wolves with bait outside bear season.

Idaho had about 780 wolves in 2015, the last time the state did a count.

Idaho officials say wolf numbers remain strong based on the reported wolf kills and wolf reproductive rates.