Montana wildlife officials are abandoning efforts to shut down gray wolf hunting and trapping just outside the gates of Yellowstone National Park.Hunting and trapping were briefly suspended last month on about 60 square miles north of the park over concerns that too many wolves wandering out of Yellowstone were dying.

But after a judge issued an injunction saying not enough notice was given before the closures were enacted, wildlife officials are dropping the matter.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim said Monday (Jan. 28) the agency does not have enough time to seek an order dissolving the injunction before wolf season ends on Feb. 28.

Wildlife advocates say Yellowstone's wolves deserve special protections.

No-hunting buffer zones for the park would be barred under a proposal now before the Legislature.

Source:  AP

More From 100.7 KXLB