Wolf hunt closed in Montan

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana officials are closing down wolf hunting in parts of northwestern Montana bordering Glacier National Park after hunters filled the area’s two-animal quota.

Hunting closes after sunset Wednesday in portions of Lincoln and Flathead counties west of the park.

Hunters across Montana have shot 145 wolves since the season opened in early September.

That’s out of a 220-animal quota that wildlife officials say could reduce the statewide population to about 425 wolves.

The season runs through Feb. 15. Wildlife officials want to extend that to April 1 in parts of southwest Montana if the quota there has not been met.

Wolves in Idaho and Montana were taken off the endangered species list last spring under orders from Congress.

Idaho hunters and trappers have killed 269 wolves since August.