Fairbanks - Bad weather, little daylight and lack of snow have conspired to frustrate hunters participating in the state's aerial wolf control programs.

The harvest as of Friday in four regions open to aerial wolf hunting was 51 wolves, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Pilot-gunner teams have reported taking 21 wolves in the Nelchina Basin, 25 west of Cook Inlet and five near McGrath. No wolves have been killed in the central Kuskokwim River area.

Last year marked the first time in 10 years Alaska officials allowed a lethal wolf control program, and hunters reported killing 144 wolves.

The Alaska Board of Game expanded the program last spring. State officials plan to begin a fifth predator reduction program near Tok soon.

The goal is to reduce the number of the wolves in the five regions by about 500 to help boost moose and caribou herds for hunters.