BOZEMAN – An outfitter who killed a wolf after several of his sheep were killed is disputing claims that he baited the wolf by leaving the sheep carcasses in a pile.
William Hoppe said Thursday that he buried all the carcasses within days.
On Sunday, he killed a radio-collared wolf from Yellowstone National Park using a state-issued permit he had to kill two wolves if they entered his land near Gardiner where his sheep died. Park biologist Doug Smith says information from the wolf’s radio collar indicated she wasn’t involved in killing Hoppe’s sheep.
Nevertheless, Hoppe says he followed conditions of his permit.
He disputes statements by leaders of Wolves of the Rockies that he lured the wolves. Hoppe says he bought the sheep as a project for his grandkids.
Stay Connected with the Daily Roundup.
Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox.