THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HELENA, Mont. — Montana officials are set to make a final decision on whether to extend the hunting season for wolves by a month, to Jan. 31.
The Fish, Wildlife and Parks commission meets Thursday and Friday in Helena to consider that extension and decide whether to allow hunters to assist state and federal officials in killing problem wolves that prey on livestock.
The commission is considering the extension in order to meet the 220-wolf quota set for this year’s hunt. FWP officials say that number would reduce the predator’s population by 25 percent to 425 animals.
The commission also plans to take up next year’s big-game quotas and hunting season dates and consider a proposal to move 68 bison in a quarantine program to the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Indian reservations.