Bill to Greatly Expand Wolf Hunting in Idaho Heads to Governor

If signed, the law would boost funding for independent contractors to kill wolves and would allow for more than 90 percent of the population in the state to be taken by hunters.

Amanda Heidt

| 3 min read

A gray wolf (Canis lupus) stands in a forest, with the background blurred.

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Update (May 7): Republican Governor Brad Little signed bill SB1211 into law today, according to National Geographic.

Acontentious bill in Idaho, aimed at reducing the state’s wolf population by more than 90 percent, will soon land on the desk of the governor. Proponents of the bill say its passing will stop wolves from harassing and killing wildlife and livestock, while opponents counter that it goes too far and fails to consider the ecological consequences of removing so many large predators.

On April 21, the Idaho Senate approved the bill in a 26–7 vote. A week later, the Idaho House of Representatives voted 58–11 to send the bill on to Republican Governor Brad Little.

“These wolves, there’s too many in the state of Idaho,” rancher and State Senator Mark Harris (R-Soda Springs) said on the Senate floor before last week’s vote, as reported by The New York ...

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Meet the Author

Amanda Heidt
Amanda was an associate editor at The Scientist, where she oversaw the Scientist to Watch, Foundations, and Short Lit columns. When not editing, she produced original reporting for the magazine and website. Amanda has a master's in marine science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a master's in science communication from UC Santa Cruz.
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