MT FWP director addresses potential wolf hunt
A new addition to the Montana state hunting season is moving forward despite pending litigation that could potentially halt the 75-quota wolf season.
The MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks agency plans to start selling licenses for the new season on Monday, which coincides with a court hearing on the issue.
FWP director Joe Maurier says if the 13 groups asking for wolves to be returned to the endangered species list win the lawsuit, his division will work to overturn the ruling.
Maurier said, “We’re going to fight like crazy to have a hunting season because we feel it’s necessary, it’s prudent…we have all the conditions in place to keep the wolves alive and well on the landscape but you know…if we don’t do something to control them we’re going to continue to have problems.”
If the court decides to halt the season, the FWP will reimburse hunters who purchase a license.
Maurier is encouraging hunters to wait and see what happens before making their purchase.