Official: Wyoming Wolf Hunt Successful

One Wyoming Game and Fish Department official says even if wolf hunters don't fulfill Wyoming's quota of 52 animals in 12 hunting areas, "it's been a very successful season."

Brian Nesvik tells the Casper Star-Tribune he's "extremely happy with how the harvest has been spread around the wolf trophy game and management area." As of Wednesday, the last time reported, 41 wolves had been killed in the trophy area. The season closes Monday.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stripped wolves of their federal protections in Wyoming on Sept. 30, kicking off the first hunting season since wolves were placed on the endangered species list in 1974.

Conservation groups are calling for the state to create buffer zones around Yellowstone or Grand Teton national parks after three collared wolves were killed this year.