FWP Proposing More Western, Northwest Montana Wolves Be Harvested

The comment period from both sides of the argument could get contentious to say the least.

Even though wolf hunting and trapping are already such polarizing subjects in the state, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has made the decision to propose new regulations aimed at increasing harvests, at least in some parts of the state. And the public comment period is underway.

A TRICKY NUMBERS GAME

FWP says wolf numbers in Montana remain relatively stable despite an increase in harvest in 2024, according to the 2024 Wolf Report, released Monday. Montana law requires the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to pass regulations that will decrease wolf numbers to a sustainable level statewide.

Different regulations over the past two years have been tried in an effort to increase harvest and realize a decline in wolf numbers, but those changes have only had success in certain areas of the state, most notably southwest Montana. The changes being proposed this year are targeted at trying to increase harvest in western and northwest Montana.

HOW THE FWP PROPOSAL COULD COST THEM (NOT YOU) MONEY

One of the key components of FWP's upcoming proposed legislative changes involves allowing hunters and trappers to harvest 15 wolves on a single hunting and trapping license (30 wolves total), provided that at least five of those wolves are harvested via hunting and at least five of those wolves are harvested via trapping in FWP regions 1 or 2. Allowing multiple wolves to be harvested with a single hunting license will result in a decrease in revenue for FWP. During the past five years about 15 percent of hunters purchased more than one wolf license. The anticipated loss in revenue will be about $43,000.

If you'd like to see a video explaining the proposed changes, you can check that out on Montana FWP's YouTube channel here.

The public comment period until Thursday, August 21, at which time the proposal will be evaluated at the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, starting at 8:30 am. More meeting details and how to comment can be found here.