Montana’s FWP proposes extending wolf season

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Commission is seeking comments on proposals that would extend the wolf hunting season and allow hunters to participate in wolf depredation removals.

If the season extension is approved, the current wolf hunting season would run through Jan. 31, 2012, or until the specific wolf management unit quotas are met, whichever is first.

The wolf hunting season is currently set to end Dec. 31. Montana’s statewide harvest quota is 220 wolves and so far 76 have been taken by hunters.

If approved in December, an additional proposal to allow hunters to participate in wolf depredation removals would go into effect in 2012 and 2013. Officials say the use of hunters may enhance depredation response times and that livestock producers would have the ability to identify the hunters authorized to participate. Livestock producers would be expected to allow a reasonable amount of public wolf hunting access during the wolf hunting season.

All lethal removals by livestock producers, federal Wildlife Services, or hunters would be consistent with FWP rules and regulations.

Comments can be submitted through 5 pm., Nov. 28. For more information, or to comment on online, visit fwp.mt.gov. Click “Hunting.” Submit comments by mail to FWP Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

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