Watch your back, wolves: Two states filed petitions Friday to remove wolves from the endangered list, which will allow hunting in Montana and Idaho. A settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Interior and wildlife advocates is intended to end years of litigation between the two groups. Under this settlement, the gray wolves will be left on the endangered list in four states where they are considered the most vulnerable: Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. Wolf hunting could begin as soon as this fall. An estimated 1,651 wolves live in the region after years of deeply unpopular protection status, and this deal calls for a minimum of 300 wolves in the region.
