Rancher Is First to Kill Wolf Under New Rule

A rancher in remote central Idaho shot a wolf he said was harassing his cattle -- the first time one of the federally protected predators had been killed under new guidelines that took effect Feb. 2.

The rancher shot the female gray wolf on private property late Sunday. He watched it and a larger wolf chasing his cattle, the rancher told officials. The other wolf escaped.

Under the new rule that affects Idaho and Montana, people can shoot wolves that pursue their livestock. Before, ranchers had to wait until a wolf had bitten one of their animals.

The new rule marked a first step in returning control of wolf populations to states and private landowners, who say they need it to limit predatory attacks on livestock, domestic animals and wild game herds as wolf numbers steadily rise.

Federal officials have determined that the rancher acted appropriately.

They said he called Thursday to report that wolves caused his cattle to stampede, killing one calf. The rancher wanted to know his rights under the new rule.

Wolf advocacy groups are reserving judgment pending an investigation.

This is the third wolf killed legally in Idaho this year; the previous two were killed by officers from the federal Wildlife Services.

In 2004, Wildlife Services agents killed 17 wolves in Idaho, the most in any year since they were reintroduced to the region in 1995.