Idaho panel suspends wolf management

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Wednesday endorsed a decision by Gov. Butch Otter to halt state management of wolves. Commission members suspended the 2008-’12 wolf management plan. With wolves back on the endangered species list, the plan is moot, said Clearwater Region Commissioner Fred Trevey. It’s unclear when federal protection will end and Idaho will get back full management authority. The 2008 plan was developed when wolves were delisted for the five-year period during which the Fish and Wildlife Service would monitor progress of the delisted species. On Wednesday, the commission also endorsed wolf control actions to protect some struggling deer and elk herds from wolf predation.