In an effort to better manage the wolf population, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) proposed expanding wolf hunting opportunities in northwest Montana.
“We would be very supportive of those expanded seasons and larger amount of take,” Blake Henning, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chief conservation officer, told the Missoulian. He also added RMEF’s members “would support these additional opportunities, and we want to support our members.”
FWP’s proposals for Region 1 include:
- Extend the general hunting season to begin Aug. 15 and end March 31. Currently, archery season begins Sept. 1, general season begins Sept. 15 and ends March 15.
- Extend trapping season to March 15. Currently, the trapping season ends Feb. 28.
- Increase the individual limit to 10 wolves per person. Currently, the limit is five per person.
At last count, Montana has an estimated minimum wolf population of 900 animals, which is 500 percent above originally established minimum recovery levels.
Find more information about the FWP proposal here.
(Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)