ROB CHANEY
A nationwide collection of biologists has called on the U.S. Department of Interior to restore Endangered Species Act protection to gray wolves, in light of recent state actions against the animals.
The 115 signers include at least eight in Montana, including former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gray wolf deputy recovery coordinator Joe Fontaine and Carter Niemeyer, who led wolf trapping and control operations in Montana for 26 years. Natural history scientists and authors Doug Chadwick and Cristina Eisenberg of Montana are also on the list. Michigan Technological University distinguished professor John Vucetich and Ohio State University professor Jeremy Bruskotter led the effort.
The Montana Senate Fish and Game Committee advanced a pair of bills late Thursday evening that would allow private payments to wolf trappers and hunters as well as directing Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to consider more aggressive means of taking the animals.
Sen. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls, brought Senate Bill 267 and Senate Bill 314 to a marathon committee meeting that included multiple bills on wolves, grizzly bears and management of game fish.
SB 267 would allow private reimbursement for costs incurred for hunting or trapping wolves. A similar bill in the 2019 session was voted down as opponents criticized the measure as effectively putting a bounty on the animals.
Montana Senate committee advances more wolf bills helenair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from helenair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.