Killing Field

(Fox News) - A Montana rancher whose employees killed two wolves as a last resort to protect his cattle herd is being charged with violating the Endangered Species Act.

Cybercast News reports the rancher had tried other methods — such as fences and extra ranch hands — but after losing several animals to wolves, he took a more aggressive approach. But one wolf pup was shot accidentally and another became trapped under an all-terrain vehicle and was shot — resulting in the charge.

A spokesman with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the law allows ranchers to shoot wolves in the act of harming livestock, but also authorizes "shoot on sight" permits if there are chronic problems.

One critic of the Endangered Species Act says the regulations push ranchers to adopt a policy called "shoot, shovel and shut up."