By CSKT Natural Resources Department
FLATHEAD RESERVATION — The Tribal Council recently approved Gray Wolf Hunting and Trapping Regulations for the Flathead Indian Reservation for the 2020-21 hunting and trapping season. Wolf hunting and trapping tags will be available from the Tribal Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Permit Office to CSKT Tribal members who present valid Tribal Identification.
There are three wolf hunting and trapping zones within the Flathead Indian Reservation:
The Mission Mountain zone, the Northwest zone and the Southern zone. The Mission Mountains Zone is described as the Reservation south of the northern boundary of the Reservation along the east shore of Flathead Lake to Kerr Dam, then southward to the confluence of the Flathead River and the Jocko River, then east along the north side of the Jocko River to the source of its middle fork at the east boundary of the Reservation. Hunting season for the Mission Mountain zone runs from September 1, 2020 thru March 15, 2021. Trapping season runs from December 1, 2020 thru March 15, 2021, due to early grizzly bear activity. Harvest limits for the Mission Mountain zone are one wolf per hunter or trapper until a maximum of 5 wolves are taken or until March 15, 2021.
The Northwest zone encompasses portions of the Reservation from the northern boundary of the Reservation near Rollins, then south along the west side of Flathead Lake to Kerr Dam, then along the west side of the Flathead River to the Reservation boundary. Hunting season for the Northwest zone runs from September 1, 2020 thru April 30, 2021. Trapping season runs from September 1, 2020 thru April 30, 2021. Harvest limits for the Northwest zone are two wolves per hunter or trapper until a maximum of 10 wolves are taken or until April 30, 2021.
The Southern Zone encompasses southern portions of the Reservation from the western boundary eastward along the Flathead River to its confluence with the Jocko River, then along the south side of the Jocko River to its source on the eastern boundary of the Reservation. Hunting season for the Southern zone runs from September 1, 2020 thru April 30, 2021. Trapping season runs from September 1, 2020 thru April 30, 2021. Harvest limits for the Southern zone are two wolves per hunter or trapper until a maximum of 10 wolves are taken or until April 30, 2021.
Means of taking include rifle, bow, trapping, and electronic calling. For trapping and hunting, use of wolf lures is permitted, but use of exposed bait is not permitted within 100 yards of set traps due to the potential for capturing non-target species. CSKT tribal members interested in trapping, must attend and complete a mandatory wolf trapping instruction course from The Tribal Wildlife Management Program or Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. CSKT Tribal member trappers who have completed this course will be required to present proof of completion of the class at the time that they obtain their wolf trapping permit.
To assist the Tribal Wildlife Management Program with wolf management on the Reservation, hunters who take a wolf must present the skull and hide of the animal for analysis and data collection within five days of taking the animal. Failure to do so will result in a rejection of applications for future wolf hunting or trapping tags. Also, unused permits and questionnaires must be returned to the Permit Office no later than 7 days following the closure of the hunting season.
Tribal Game Wardens will assist in the enforcement of Tribal hunting regulations should the need arise. Closure of the wolf hunting season may occur within a 48-hour period with a notice in the news media.
For further information on the Gray Wolf Hunting Regulations contact Dale Becker or Shannon Clairmont at (406) 883-2888.