The wolf population in the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming is estimated to be just over 800. Only a small percentage crosses paths with man, but according to Ed Bangs, Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the northwestern United States, those few troublemakers are the ones the new regulation is meant to stop.

“And what we’ve done with this rule is just increase the number of tools in our toolbox and recognize that a few wolves do cause a few problems. And if we can deal with that effectively, the local public is going to be a lot more tolerant of the other 90 percent or more wolves that never really get into trouble.”

The new regulation entrusts wolf management to state fish and game professionals as well as tribes.

“This rule does give reservations the same right as states to take over wolf management and the extra flexibility to manage wolves.”

The Fish and Wildlife service hopes to one day take the gray wolf off the endangered species list. The state of Wyoming has yet to come up with a plan that will help move toward that end. Ron Tull, Interior Department Radio News Service, Washington.