BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Wildlife officials in Montana are weighing changes to the state's inaugural wolf hunt after hunters killed nine of the predators in three weeks just outside Yellowstone National Park.

More than 1,300 gray wolves were removed from the endangered species list in Idaho and Montana this spring following a decades-long recovery.

Hunting is being used to keep the species' burgeoning population in check and reduce wolf attacks on livestock. At least 48 wolves have been killed so far by hunters in the two states.

All but two of those killed in Montana came from a small portion of the Absaroka (ab-SOHR'-ka)-Beartooth Wilderness, along Yellowstone's northern border.

Concerned about the heavily concentrated shootings, state wildlife commissioners suspended hunting in the area last week. On Tuesday, commissioners are to consider reallocating the state's wolf quota.


Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.