by Marnee Banks (Helena)
Montana wildlife experts now have a few extra options at their disposal as they decide how to manage wolves.
Governor Steve Bullock (D) signed House Bill 73 Wednesday morning alongside the sponsors, MT State Representatives Kelly Flynn (R-Townsend) and Ted Washburn (R- Bozeman).
The bill allows hunters to purchase more than wolf permit, use silencers while hunting wolves and reduces the price of a non resident wolf license from $350 to $50.
“As we implement this and go forward, I have asked the director to make sure that we are educating hunters about collared wolves around the parks and also to reengage the wolf management council that used to be part of our state in the past,” Bullock said in an interview.
Bullock’s comments about collared wolves refer to a portion of the bill which prohibits the Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Commission from closing wolf hunting areas outside Yellowstone Park.
It responds to concerns after several hunters shot wolves with collars that were part of a federal study program. Shortly after the FWP Commission closed the hunting districts outside the Park prior to the hunting quotas being filled.
“It ought to be biologists managing wolves, not politicians,” Bullock said. “This bill allows us to use science based management.”
HB 73 received overwhelming support in both the House and Senate, with only four Senators and three Representatives voting against the bill.