Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

Montana proposes dropping wolf hunt quota significantly

in Regional
Montana proposes dropping wolf hunt quota significantly

A gray wolf PHOTO BY MACNEIL LYONS/ UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE MIDWEST REGION

A gray wolf. PHOTO BY MACNEIL LYONS/ UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE MIDWEST REGION
EBS Staffby EBS Staff
June 29, 2023

Wolf harvest may be lower to keep wildlife numbers sustainable

By Aislin Tweedy DAILY MONTANAN

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks are proposing to reduce the hunting quota for wolves statewide from 450 to 289, according to the department and an interview with a spokesperson. 

FWP said the wolf population has dropped in the last two years, and it believes the new quota will keep wolves at a healthy and sustainable population per state law. 

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad
ADVERTISEMENT

“State law, set by the 2021 Montana Legislature, requires FWP to reduce wolf populations in Montana to a sustainable level,” said Greg Lemon, FWP public information officer. “We believe the quota of 289 wolves will meet that statutory requirement while ensuring a healthy wolf population in the state.” 

This announcement comes a year after the wolf numbers fell in 2022, according to the 2022 FWP Wolf Report. 

Wolf hunting regulations in Montana are controversial. In 2022 in Region 3, which borders Yellowstone National Park, hunters killed 82 wolves, the threshold which caused the FWP to direct wolf hunters and trappers in the region to remove their equipment immediately. The threshold represented a 39% decline.

The estimated wolf population for 2022 was 1,087 wolves, according to FWP. This number is down 56 wolves from 1,143 in 2021. The number of wolf packs was 181, down 10 packs from 2021. Total wolf kills for the spring and fall of calendar year 2022 were 248.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission of FWP will decide the quota for the 2023/2024 season at its Aug. 17 meeting. FWP said the proposed quota of 289 wolves statewide reflects an average of the last five years’ statewide harvest. The allowable kills would be broken up by regions: Region 1 – 120 wolves; Region 2 – 91 wolves; Region 3 – 52 wolves; Region 4 – 15 wolves; and Regions 5, 6, and 7 – 5 wolves total. 

FWP is proposing wolf trapping season to start the first Monday after Thanksgiving, outside of the mapped grizzly bear-occupied range. The FWP is proposing a floating starting date for areas inside of the mapped grizzly bear range.

Lemon said FWP is proposing to set dates like the agency did last year. Throughout December, he said the staff will assess whether grizzly bears are denned using collar information as well as reported sightings to make the determination. 

“Once we feel grizzly bears are mostly denned, then we’ll open areas for wolf trapping,” said Lemon. “This assessment will be done on a weekly basis and all wolf trapping will be open on Dec. 31.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Commission said at its August meeting that they will also amend and review a draft rule language for non-lethal and lethal control methods that are consistent with the Montana Grey Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. 

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes
outlaw realty montana outlaw realty montana
ADVERTISEMENT
Outlaw Realty Big Sky Bozeman
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Jul 9
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jul 9
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm Event Series

Community Yoga

Jul 9
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Event Series

Post 99 Honey sales

Jul 9
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Event Series

Pickup Ultimate Frisbee

Jul 10
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

Legendary: UM Video Game Team Scores National Championship
Regional

Legendary: UM Video Game Team Scores National Championship

July 8, 2025
Montana, Forest Service, sign forest management agreement
Regional

Montana, Forest Service, sign forest management agreement

July 8, 2025
Bozeman Public Library to host live bluegrass July 13
Regional

Bozeman Public Library to host live bluegrass July 13

July 7, 2025
Montana State musicians in STEM release jazz album 
Regional

Montana State musicians in STEM release jazz album 

July 7, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Plan Yellowstone
  • Big Sky PBR
  • Wildlands Music
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Hey Bear

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube