Effective at midnight Tuesday, hunters and trappers will no longer be able to land an airplane and shoot a wolf, fox, coyote, wolverine or lynx the same day.

Nor will the state be able to conduct aerial wolf control unless the commissioner of Fish and Game makes written findings that a biological emergency exists and wolf control is the only feasible means of addressing the emergency.

These changes stem from a ballot initiative passed by voters in November 1996. The so- called "wolf initiative" passed by a 58 to 41 percent margin.

Hunters or trappers who violate the prohibition on same-day-airborne hunting of wolves and certain other furbearers may be fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned for not more than a year. In addition, any aircraft and other equipment used may be forfeited to the state.

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