FWP compiles varied views of wolf future
By JOHN FITZGERALD
Of The Gazette Staff
Amanda Stevens thinks of the wolf as a “keystone species” in the Montana environment.
Jim Ruff’s opinion of the wolf is simple, too.
“The only good wolf is a dead wolf,” he said.
Both joined about 30 others to offer their opinions Thursday night to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials at the Montana Hotel and Convention Center.
A special committee has drafted five proposals to manage the wolves in Montana. FWP wants everyone with an interest in the plans to be able to comment on them, so they are conducting meetings around the state to gather input.
The gray wolf is plentiful enough in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho that it is about to go off the endangered species list. When the wolf goes off the list, it leaves federal protection, and states have to have a plan in place to manage the species.
The five proposals created by FWP range from strong protection to minimal protection to doing nothing at all.
FWP’s preferred plan calls for 15 breeding pairs in Montana, which translates to roughly 300 wolves in the state, officials said; money to come from a combination of public and private sources to both run the program and to reimburse landowners for stock depredation; possible regulated wolf “harvest;” FWP management of both predator and prey numbers; and giving landowners “flexible tools” to protect their stock. This plan is similar to FWP management of black bear and mountain lion populations, officials said.
Stevens, an environment studies student at Montana State University-Billings, said she is the daughter of a farmer and rancher and can see both sides of the issue.
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FWP “I disagree with hunting and trapping the wolf, but I do agree with ranchers being able to protect their property,” she said. She also wondered how well FWP could regulate how many wolves are taken.
Ruff is retired and living in Billings now, but he farmed and ranched on 700 acres near Custer his entire life.
“I feel that any time wolves go beyond federal land, the farmer and rancher should have the right to shoot or trap it,” he said, adding that he doubted hunting and trapping by sportsmen will keep the wolf population in check.
FWP officials meticulously wrote down each person’s comments. They will do this at each of the 11 remaining sessions and then compile the comments, which will be used to pick which of the five plans, or a combination of all of the plans, that FWP will use to manage the wolves.
John Letcher of Laurel said he was pleased to have the ability to comment.
“I’m happy the FWP is doing this,” he said. “We’re asking questions and getting answers. This is the way to do it. The feds just come in with a mandate, drop it all on the states and then leave.”
The community work sessions are set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. at: Glasgow, Cottonwood Inn, April 1; Avon, Community Center, April 3; Missoula, Meadow Hill Middle School, April 8; Bozeman, Holiday Inn, April 14; Gardiner, high school gym, April 15; Butte, Red Lion Inn, April 16; Ennis, high school gym, April 17; Great Falls, MSU College of Technology, April 21; Kalispell, Flathead High, April 23; Whitefish, Muldown Elementary, April 23; and Rexford, Rexford Plaza, April 24. Comments will be accepted through May 12.