FWP approves Montana wolf hunt numbers

by Mark Thorsell

HELENA- The wolf hunt is back on in Montana as members of Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission approved a 2011 season which calls 220 wolves to be harvested.

"The approved hunting season is very similar to the one considered last year," said Ken McDonald, FWP's chief of wildlife. "It's based on wildlife science and we believe it's properly balanced. Our management objective is very clear: we must maintain a viable and connected wolf population as we aim to reduce impacts on Montana's wildlife and livestock. With the ability to manage wolves as we do all other wildlife in Montana we're confident we can meet those expectations."

Hunters will have the opportunity to hunt for 220 wolves in 14 areas, generally in the western portion of Montana. A new area in the Bitterroot Valley was added to an area where wolves appear to be contributing to a significant drop in the elk population. 

Commissioners had approved a harvest quota of 186 wolves across 13 wolf management units for the 2010 season, which was blocked by a federal court. Montana's first and only regulated wolf hunt took place in 2009 when 72 wolves were taken by hunters, three fewer than the established quota.

"We learned from the 2009 hunt that there was a need to be more surgical in directing the wolf harvest toward areas where elk, deer and livestock depredations are an issue," McDonald explained in a press release. "So we made adjustments and developed smaller-sized wolf management units each with their own quota."

The commission also approved a wolf archery season, which will run from September 3rd through Oct. 16th, coinciding with Montana's deer and elk archery seasons.

McDonald said a harvest quota of 220 is projected to reduce the wolf population to a minimum of 425 wolves, or by about 25%. The projections include anticipated reductions due to livestock depredation and mortalities from other events, like accidents and natural causes according to a statement issued by FWP.

Wildlife officials documented that a minimum of 566 wolves, in 108 verified packs, and 35 breeding pairs inhabited the state at the end of 2010. The congressional measure passed this spring that removed gray wolves from the list of endangered species in Montana, Idaho, and parts Oregon, Washington and Utah was challenged in federal district court in Missoula in May. A final court ruling hasn't been issued.

WEB EXTRA

The following information has been supplied by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

• Wolf Management Units & Quotas-Northwestern and central Montana have nine WMUs with a total quota of 123 wolves; western Montana has two WMUs with a total quota of 54 wolves; and there are three WMUs in the southwestern portion of the state with a total quota of 43 wolves. Two of Montana's 14 WMUs-WMU 400 and 390 respectively-stretch across the northeastern and southeastern portions of the state to the North Dakota border.
• Wolf Hunting Season Dates-Wolf hunting seasons correspond to Montana's early backcountry big game hunting season, which runs Sept. 3-14 for archery and Sept. 15-Nov. 27 for rifle hunting; and the big game archery and general rifle seasons set for Sept. 3-Oct. 16 and Oct. 22-Nov. 27 respectively. The wolf hunting season in some areas could run through Dec. 31 if quotas are not reached. Hunting licenses cost $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents. License sales should begin in August.

Topics: Montana wolf hunt, FWP, Living with Wolves