A state of emergency has been declared in the Sakha Republic in Siberia against packs of wolves preying on reindeer herds.
Russian media report that a shortage of mountain hares has caused the migration of the wolves from their normal hunting grounds.
The BBC reports the hunting season has been extended to the whole year, as the target is to get the wolf population in the region down to 500 - reckoned to be the optimal number. Currently there are estimated to be more than 3500.
Officials said squads of hunters will pursue the wolves for three months from 15 January. The most successful hunters will get bonuses of 100,000 roubles.
The measures were announced by Sakha President Yegor Borisov.
The agriculture ministry said 16,111 reindeer were savaged by wolves in 2012 - a 4.3% rise on 2011. Wolves also killed 314 horses.
Last year hunters killed 730 wolves in the republic.