Gazette Staff
Interest in Montana’s first wolf-trapping season this winter has been so great that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Friday that additional classes were being scheduled in Anaconda, Bozeman, Kalispell and Missoula.
The classes, along with a Montana trapping license, are needed to trap the animals. The season will begin Dec. 15 and run until Feb. 28. The season was added this year as another way to help reduce wolf numbers in addition to hunting.
FWP has already certified about 830 Montanans in classes that began earlier this month. Another 1,050 more people are registered for upcoming classes and now 420 more trappers will be accommodated with the additional classes.
FWP initially offered 28 certification classes statewide with up to 50 slots each, but because of public interest, officials supplemented those sessions with six more. FWP also quickly expanded most classes to include up to 60 people, and now some venues will allow for up to 100 students.
“We’ve redoubled our efforts to accommodate everyone who expressed an interest,” said Ken McDonald, chief of FWP’s wildlife bureau in Helena. “With the added classes and expanded class sizes, we’ve worked to meet that need. If you’re interested in trapping wolves this winter, register online now because these are the final certification classes that will be offered this year.”
Prospective trappers can register and find remaining certification locations, dates and times on FWP’s website at http://fwp.mt.gov. Click “Wolf Trapping Certification.”
To participate in wolf trapping this winter, certified wolf trappers only need a Montana trapping license, currently on sale for $20 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. For those wishing to participate in the rifle and archery seasons, wolf hunting licenses cost $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents. The wolf archery season, which is now under way, will close Oct. 14. The general rifle season will run Oct. 20-Feb. 28.
Montana wolf trappers can also be certified by taking a wolf-trapping class offered by Idaho Fish and Game. For information on Idaho’s wolf trapper class, visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.