Bill would make it easier to kill Oregon wolves

By JEFF BARNARD AP Environmental Writer Published: Feb 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 24, 2012 at 4:06 PM PDT
Bill would make it easier to kill Oregon wolves
This April 13, 2009, file photo provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shows two wolves standing near the bodies of 2 dead lambs in Baker County, Ore. The Oregon Cattlemen's Association is pressing a package of bills in the Oregon Legislature that would give ranchers the right to shoot wolves attacking livestock, and pay ranchers compensation for wolf kills. Another bill would make it easier to take the wolf off the state endangered species list. (AP Photo/Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Frustrated that a judge has blocked a state kill order against two members of Oregon's first wolf pack, the Oregon Cattlemen's Association is pushing legislation to boost the state's authority over the predators.

Conservation groups that sued the state to stop the kill order say the bill is an effort to circumvent their lawsuit and the state Endangered Species Act.

Bill Hoyt, legislative chairman of the Cattlemen's Association, says the bill is not specifically aimed at the lawsuit.

But he says the group would rather the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, not judges, make decisions about wolves in Oregon.

Meanwhile, the most famous member of the Imnaha pack, OR-7, remains in northeastern California, where he has been roaming since splitting away and crossing Oregon.

 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press