Tools

Mont. seeks wolf coalition with ranchers, hunters

Story Created: Aug 19, 2010 at 3:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2010 at 10:01 AM MST

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana officials are planning to meet with ranchers, hunters and other groups about joining forces after a federal judge restored Endangered Species Act protections for wolves.

Wildlife officials in Montana and Idaho oppose the ruling earlier this month by U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy that blocked the states' wolf management plans and their fall hunts.

Ranchers and hunters have also blasted the ruling, saying wolves have grown too numerous and are attacking livestock and game.

Ron Aasheim of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says state wildlife officials will meet Friday in Helena with stockgrowers, woolgrowers, hunters, farmers and other groups to discuss forming a coalition.

Aasheim says participants will discuss the state's options and a possible appeal. They meet 10 a.m. at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls & Helena Weather

Icon
Great Falls Great Falls Intl Airport, MT
Current Temp 31.0 °F
Overcast
Wind : North at 5.8 MPH (5 KT)
Pressure : 1026.0 mb
Humidity : 61 %
Icon
Helena Helena Regional, MT
Current Temp 30.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
Wind : Calm
Pressure : 1028.5 mb
Humidity : 75 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video