CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Hunters already are closing in on killing their annual limit of wolves in northwest Wyoming.

The state's second annual wolf hunt began Oct. 1 and continues through the end of 2013.

Last year's limit was 52 wolves. This year's hunt quota is cut back to 26 wolves.

In the past four weeks, licensed hunters have killed 17 wolves in the trophy-game wolf-hunting zone east and south of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

That means the more than 2,000 people who've purchased Wyoming wolf licenses still have more than two months to kill nine more wolves.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says six of the 12 wolf-hunt zones are closed.

Hunters have reached their limits in five of those zones. Another hunt zone never opened this season.

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