By JEFF BARNARD
Associated Press/Capital Press
Feb. 1, 2012
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Frustrated that a judge has blocked a state kill order against two members of Oregon’s first wolf pack, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is pushing legislation to boost the state’s authority over the predators.
Conservation groups that sued the state to stop the kill order say the bill is an effort to circumvent their lawsuit and the state Endangered Species Act.
Bill Hoyt, legislative chairman of the Cattlemen’s Association, says the bill is not specifically aimed at the lawsuit. But he says the group would rather the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, not judges, make decisions about wolves.
Meanwhile, the most famous member of the Imnaha pack, OR-7, remains in northeastern California, where he has been roaming since splitting away and crossing Oregon.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.