Cody rancher receives first ‘kill' permit

The Game and Fish Department has issued a wolf kill permit to a landowner near Cody inside the new wolf trophy game zone.

The agency will issue a similar permit to a rancher near Dubois.

“We have issued a lethal take permit to a landowner to take four wolves on the South Fork of the Shoshone River,” spokesman Eric Keszler said. “He's having trouble with wolves harassing his cattle.”

The second permit will be issued to a rancher near Dubois for two wolves in response to cattle depredation, Keszler said.

The state took control of management of the wolves on March 28 when the animal was removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Inside the trophy game zone - with its borders running through Cody and Meeteetse and outside Dubois, Jackson and Pinedale - ranchers aren't allowed to kill a wolf on sight, but instead must enlist G&F's help or obtain take permits.

Outside that zone, wolves may be shot on sight by anyone with no limits.