Bills to curb wolf numbers advance in Montana Legislature
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Hunters and trappers who kill wolves in Montana could be reimbursed for their expenses by private groups under a proposal advanced by state lawmakers.
Critics say the proposal is akin to the bounties that nearly nearly exterminated the predators last century.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted to allow the payments amid pressure from livestock and hunting groups that say Montana has too many wolves.
A separate measure advanced by senators would allow individuals to kill unlimited numbers of wolves, hunt at night and use bait to lure wolves into traps. Montana has about 1,200 wolves.
