The wolf pup killings have incensed wildlife advocates in Idaho, where state wildlife officials have been ordered to take extraordinary measures to shrink the state’s re-introduced wolf population amid complaints from the livestock industry and big game hunting outfitters.

A law passed five years ago by the Republican-dominated state legislature loosened restrictions on hunting seasons, removed restrictions on killing methods and allowed people to contract third parties to kill wolves. Individual hunters and trappers are able to buy an unlimited number of permits to kill wolves, which cost $14 each for state residents and $32 for non-residents.

In 2021, Idaho game officials also entered into an agreement with the Foundation for Wildlife Management, a non-profit devoted to reducing wolves to help boost deer and elk numbers, to reimburse expenses to any hunter and trapper who provides proof of killing a wolf. The program pays for a wide range of expenses, including truck payments, fuel, ammunition and outdoor clothing.

The reimbursement program paid $2,000 per wolf kill through the hunting season that ended in June, including the 12 pups, records from the state’s fish and game agency show. The program is funded with a mix of taxpayer money, hunting license sales and contributions from the Foundation for Wildlife Management. .

“It’s an abomination,” said Brooks Fahy, director of the advocacy group Predator Defense. “I think most people, even in Idaho, if they actually understood the depth of this, the fact that taxpayer dollars are paying for this – they would be appalled.”

“Let’s call this what it is – it’s a goddamned bounty,” Fahy said. “What kind of receipts are you going to show for 12 pups who weigh 12lbs? It’s ridiculous on its face and the state of Idaho should be ashamed.”

Neither the foundation nor the Idaho wolf depredation control board, a government entity that oversees payments for third-party wolf killings, responded to requests for comment.