BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho senator who ranches sheep is promoting Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed wolf population control panel, saying the $2 million the Republican governor has set aside will boost livestock and elk herds.

Sen. Jeff Siddoway of Terreton told the Idaho Falls Post Register "anything that reduces the wolf population is good." Siddoway has been behind many of the recent wolf control measures the Legislature has considered. In 2012, he pushed a failed measure to let livestock owners pursue problem wolves from powered parachutes or even use their own pets to lure predators into a rifle's scope.

Otter's proposal foresees a five-member state board, including state agriculture and wildlife officials, along with ranching, hunting and wolf advocacy representatives, to help manage wolves, which now number 680 in Idaho.

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