Monday, March 12, 2007

State wants helicopters to rescue wolf-kill program

State wants helicopters to rescue wolf-kill program
By ALEX deMARBAN
Anchorage Daily News
March 12, 2007

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- With the state's wolf-kill program severely behind schedule - costly fuel and uncooperative weather have grounded many volunteer pilots and gunners - game managers want state helicopters to come to the rescue.

They need a decision from Gov. Sarah Palin to make it happen.

State biologists wanted at least 382 wolves killed before the snow melts. Snow allows pilots to track them.

But gunners have killed only 38 wolves so far this winter, said Matt Robus, wildlife conservation director.

March, with long daylight hours and ample snowfall, has proven to be one of the better killing months. But the clock is ticking, Board of Game members say. And if the state doesn't meet its goal, the four-year program could be set back.

The controversial program - mostly in Southcentral and the Interior - is designed to help hunters by killing the wolves that eat moose.

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State wants helicopters to rescue wolf-kill program