Northern Alberta county sticks with wolf bounty

A northern Alberta county will continue its $300 bounty on wolves despite oppositionfrom some residents who claim the policy is inhumane and a waste of money.

The Municipal District of Big Lakes, 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, has paid out $90,000 overtwo years to trappers and hunters on300 wolves.

MDofficialsimposed thebounty after ranchers complained they were losing too many cattle to the predators.

About150 people attendeda public meeting in High Prairie, Alta.,Monday, with mostspeaking in favour ofcontinuing the program.

"If you've got a breeding herd under stress from wolves, their conception rate usually drops an extra 15 to 20 per cent just because of the harassment," said Reeve Alvin Billings.