Reward For Info About Illegally Killed Montana Wolf Skyrockets

While harvesting wolves in Montana is legal, one recently killed out of season is being taken very seriously.

THE LCF AND THE WOTR THROW THE CHECKBOOKS OPEN

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that the monetary reward has increased for information on a wolf that was killed illegally near Gardiner last month. In addition to Montana FWP's reward offer of $1,000, The Large Carnivore Fund and Wolves of the Rockies together have offered an additional $30,000.

The Large Carnivore Fund (LCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting large carnivores like wolves, bears and mountain lions. Their focus is on habitat preservation, reducing reducing human-wildlife conflict, and promoting coexistence, particularly in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Northern Rockies.

HOW THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN

Officials received a mortality signal from a collared wolf in the Jardine area of Park County. They found the collar had been cut off and thrown into a tree, but they did not find a wolf carcass.

This area is in wolf management unit 313, which closed to wolf hunting on November 16. However, game wardens believe the collared wolf was killed on the night of December 25. No further information was made available.

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Anyone with possible information is encouraged to visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park's TIPMONT web page to provide details. Those who would like to submit things they might know about the case can remain anonymous.