Northern Alberta county may revisit wolf bounty

A county in northern Alberta says it may reconsider its $300 bounty on wolves.

The Municipal District of Big Lakes, 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, placed the bounty after ranchers complained they were losing cattle to the predators.

"The wolf population got way too big," said Coun. Guy L'Heureux, who is also a rancher. "All we did is bring them down. We know there's still a lot of wolves out there.

"My cause right now is to protect the ranchers, and that's what I will do."

Fellow rancher George Blackhurst said he lost three dozen cows in just few months.

"Before the bounty we were seeing them all the time," he said. "We're losing all these cattle and now we're not."

Over two years, almost $90,000 has been paid out on 300 wolves.

But some people in the area are saying the bounty is inhumane and a waste of money.

L'Heureux agrees it may be time to lift the bounty, if ranchers agree.

"If they say, 'I think we've taken enough,' we may have to step back," he said. "I will support their vote."

Council will review the policy next month.