Wolf Hunts Around Yellowstone May be Limited

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Restrictions on gray wolf harvests around Yellowstone National Park are under consideration as the state prepares to kick off its inaugural wolf trapping season Dec. 15. Wildlife advocates want limits on trapping after several wolves collared by park scientists for research were shot by Montana hunters in recent weeks.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Shane Colton says closing some areas to trapping or setting strict quotas will be on the table during a Monday commission meeting. Colton says it's important to proceed carefully with the state's first wolf trapping season.

The predators were taken off the endangered species list last year. Hunters have shot about 90 wolves across Montana so far this fall. There were an estimated 653 of the predators in the state at the end of 2011.