Montana Proposal to Triple Wolf Harvest Near Yellowstone Rejected

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana's wildlife commissioners have rejected a proposed increase in the number of gray wolves that can be killed in an area bordering Yellowstone National Park.

The Fish, Wildlife and Parks commission on Thursday rejected a recommendation from wildlife managers to increase the 2016 wolf quota near Gardiner from two animals to six. Agency officials had cited complaints the predators were eating too many elk wanted by hunters and outfitters. Spokesman Ron Aasheim says the quota won't be final until the commission votes again in July.

Park officials and wildlife advocates have argued that wolves spending much of their lives inside Yellowstone should be given special protections. No hunting is allowed in the park. But wolf hunting has been legal in neighboring Montana since 2011 when they lost their endangered status.