The Associated Press

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho officials say hunters have killed 96 wolves so far in the 2012-2013 hunting season.

Idaho Fish and Game officials tell the Coeur d'Alene Press (http://bit.ly/Wfbhb0) that through Thursday 16 wolves have been killed in Idaho's Panhandle wolf zones since the season opened Aug. 30.

Also on Thursday the 2012-2013 wolf trapping season opened and runs through March 31 in the Panhandle zone.

Phil Cooper of Idaho Fish and Game says it's difficult to determine how the pace of this season's wolf harvest season compares to last season. The statewide total for the 2011-2012 wolf season was 255 killed by hunters and 124 killed by trappers.

Cooper says trappers are learning how to be successful, while hunters who kill a wolf are often out for elk or deer.

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Information from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.