by Dennis Bragg – KPAX/KAJ Media Center
MISSOULA- The debate over what is being called a “more aggressive” approach to hunting wolves in Montana comes to Missoula Tuesday as state officials listen to what hunters and wildlife advocates have to say about the new proposals.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks managers have suggested the new measures in an effort to make hunting a more effective tool in controlling wolf populations in the state. And the FWP has already given its tentative endorsement to the proposals.
The new ideas include measures such as trapping of wolves with leg hold traps between mid-December and the end of February, extending wolf hunting season from mid-October to February 28th and calculating wolf quotas statewide, instead of by game management units. Hunters would also not have to wear orange when hunting wolves after November 25th to increase their chances to stalking wolves.
FWP biologists believe more aggressive wolf hunting won’t hurt the population or the “genetic diversity” of the packs. Hunters agreed during an initial hearing in Helena, with some suggesting even more “aggressive” measures. However wildlife groups disagree, especially on trapping, which they call “inhumane” and “barbaric”.
Hearings around the rest of the state start this week, beginning Tuesday night in Missoula at the downtown Holiday Inn and at Bozeman’s Holiday Inn. Hearings will also be held Tuesday night in Great Falls and Billings and on June 13th in Kalispell.