Panel OKs rules for landowners shooting wolves

HELENA (AP) — The state Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted regulations to implement a law that allows landowners to shoot threatening wolves on sight without a hunting license.

Commissioners approved new wording and definitions for administrative rules on wolf management on Thursday.

Senate Bill 200, which passed last year, allows landowners to kill wolves that threaten their property without having to buy a permit or hunting license.

The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks was tasked with creating rules that would define situations in which landowners could legally kill wolves and how they would report them.

Commissioners determined wolves were a “potential threat” when they threaten people, pets, or livestock on private property. Landowners have 72 hours to report such kills to the state wildlife agency.