Wolf hunts to open, judge eyes injunction request

MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press Writer MISSOULA

Gray wolf hunting was set to begin in the Northern Rockies, even as a federal judge eyed a request to stop the killing of the predators just four months after they were removed from the endangered species list. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said Monday he would rule as quickly as he could on a last-minute injunction sought by environmental and animal welfare groups opposed to the hunts in Idaho and Montana. Hunters were poised to head into the field today in Idaho, where a quota allowed as many as 220 wolves to be killed. Montana's season is s...