Billings Gazette
BILLINGS — A wolf management bill that won swift and overwhelming bipartisan support in the Montana Legislature was signed into law on Wednesday by Gov. Steve Bullock.
The law, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend, will allow hunters to purchase up to three wolf licenses and lowers the price of a nonresident wolf license from $350 to $50.
“This legislation leaves management of the gray wolf where it belongs, in the hands of scientists, not politicians,” Bullock said, in a Fish, Wildlife and Parks press release.
The legislation was amended by lawmakers to allow hunting and trapping of wolves near national parks and allows wildlife officials to close such areas after wolf harvest quotas are met.
In signing the legislation, Bullock asked FWP to increase education programs aimed at averting the harvest of collared wolves near national parks.
The new law also allows for wolf hunters to use their license 24-hours after purchase, instead of a five-day wait; authorizes the use of electronic calls; and removes the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter-orange clothing after the general deer and elk hunting seasons end.
At least 1,774 wolves in 287 packs and about 109 breeding pairs live in the region. The minimum Montana wolf population estimates at the end of 2011 include 653 wolves in 130 verified packs and 39 breeding pairs.
Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping seasons are open through Feb. 28. So far, hunters have taken 115 wolves and trappers have reported taking 84 wolves.