Wolf kill contest in B.C. illegal, says conservationist

A British Columbia conservation group claims the provincial government is breaking the law by allowing a contest in which prizes are offered for killing wolves in northern B.C.

Ian McAllister of Pacific Wild says the Peace Rod and Gun Club and others have announced a contest with prizes that include $1,000 for the largest wolf killed and $150 for the smallest, with a maximum of three dead wolves per contestant.

He says his organization filed a complaint with the B.C. Gaming Commission, but was told the contest was legal and recommended Pacific Wild get a further legal opinion.

McAllister says the West Coast Environmental Law group determined the contest appears to be a lottery scheme and would require a licence from the provincial government in order to be legal.

He says lawyers for the group also expressed concern the contest could undermine responsible wildlife management.

McAllister says the government is turning a blind eye to the contest, which he calls a back door wolf cull.