Hearing on wolf hunt challenge postponed

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A judge has delayed issuing a ruling on whether wolf hunters can use dogs for the remainder of the season due to a fierce snowstorm that has smacked most of the state.

Dane County Judge Peter C. Anderson was scheduled to issue an oral ruling in the case on Thursday. He has pushed the hearing back to Jan. 4 after county officials decided to close the Madison courthouse for the day.

A group of humane societies filed a lawsuit earlier this year alleging the Department of Natural Resources failed to place any real restrictions on how hunters can train and use dogs to hunt wolves. Anderson has temporarily banned the use of dogs while he weighs the case.