Wolf Legislation Sparks Controversy

A controversial bill on the senate floor could potentially void the agreement Idaho has with the feds and put wolves right back under federal protection.

Environmental groups are not happy after Senate Bill 1305 made it to out of committee and onto the floor last week.

The bill would allow Idahoans to hunt wolves from ultra-light aircraft and by using live bait. Terreton Sen. Jeff Siddoway introduced the legislation earlier this month.

Siddoway argues more needs to be done to protect farmers like himself from losing livestock to wolf attacks.

A long-time hunter, Idaho director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition Marv Hoyt says Idaho already has an aggressive wolf management plan.

?It seems unnecessary, unneeded, and will really only hurt Idaho’s image as a state that really values its wildlife,? Hoyt said.

The bill passed in the Resources and Environment committee Wednesday by a 7-2 party-line vote.