11/02/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Hunters reached the five-wolf limit in
eastern Idaho's Upper Snake Wolf Zone, prompting state wildlife
managers to close the season there.

Two other zones were also approaching their limits Monday.

In the McCall-Weiser Zone, with a limit of 15 wolves, 14 wolves
have been taken.

And in the Palouse-Hells Canyon Zone, with a limit of five, two
have been taken, leaving three.

Across Idaho, wildlife managers are allowing hunters to shoot a total of 220 wolves, but in 12 different hunting zones.

So far, 86 wolves have been killed statewide.

Hunters haven't been so successful in some regions where
managers had hoped to see them reduce wolf numbers.

For instance, in the Lolo Zone, where wolves and poor habitat
have been blamed for reducing elk numbers, the wolf limit is 27
animals, but hunters there have only killed five of the predators.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-11-02-09 1656MST<