BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials have given the state’s governor a warning for killing a radio-collared wolf near Yellowstone National Park without first taking a mandated trapping education course.
Gov. Greg Gianforte trapped and shot the wolf in February about 10 miles north of the park.
It’s legal to kill wolves in Montana with a license, but trappers must first complete a three-hour course that includes instruction on how to kill the animals ethically and lawfully.
Gianforte had a wolf license.
He was given a written warning and a spokesperson says he has since enrolled for the trapping course.
Republican lawmakers in Montana have advanced legislation that would make it much easier to kill wolves.