Man Sentenced In Wolf Shooting

A man convicted of shooting a wolf that strayed from Yellowstone National Park has been sentenced to six months in prison.

Chad McKittrick, 42, of Red Lodge, was found guilty on Oct. 25 of three misdemeanor counts of possessing, killing and transporting a male gray wolf that was part of an experimental population introduced into Yellowstone National Park. Wolves included in the program are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

McKittrick never denied shooting the wolf last April 24 but said he believed the animal was a wild dog that could pose a danger to livestock.

“All I can say, judge, is that I apologize and that it wasn’t my intent to kill a wolf. I thought it was a dog,” McKittrick told the court on Monday.