Wolves blamed for calves' deaths
Source: Billings Gazette
July 12, 2007
DILLON - A Big Hole Valley rancher was issued a shoot-on-sight permit after wildlife officials confirmed that a wolf killed a calf on his property last week and probably caused the death of another.
State wildlife officials confirmed this week that one calf on the west side of the valley was killed by wolves and said a second calf that was found dead was also likely the victim of wolves.
Wolves in the Miner Lake pack are suspected to have been involved in the incident.
Officials issued a shoot-on-sight permit to the Big Hole Valley landowner, whose name was not released, and have authorized a federal trapper to kill the uncollared alpha male wolf of the pack because he is suspected of committing the attacks, state wildlife biologist Liz Bradley said in a telephone interview.
The pack is known to have two adult wolves and four pups. It was formed last year when a female from Idaho moved into the Big Hole Valley and paired up with the male, Bradley said.
