BLM facing lawsuit for wolf-killing contests

The Bureau of Land Management is facing a lawsuit for an Idaho “wolf derby.” It’s a contest where a prize is given to the hunter who kills the most wolves and coyotes. In previous years Idaho for Wildlife has held the event on private land and U.S. Forest Service land.

The BLM becomes connected when groups request a special use permit to hold these contests on public land. These lawsuits claim the BLM is hiding whether or not they will be allowed permits for wolf derbies. Steve Alder of Idaho for Wildlife said the group isn’t holding it’s predator hunting contest this winter because hunters haven’t been able to kill any wolves in past contests.

There is no harvest limit to hunting wolves in the southern Idaho wolf zone. A total of 89 wolves have been harvested this season in Idaho. Wolf season ends Mar 31 .