by MTN News – Bozeman
BOZEMAN — Wolf hunting season is underway in Montana, and so is the effort by some to stop the killing of wolves.
A group called the Yellowstone Wolf Patrol has entered into the Absoroka-Beartooth Wilderness directly adjacent to Yellowstone National Park to trail hunters in an effort to prevent the killing of the park’s wolves.
A press release from the organization states: “Nine members of the Wolf Patrol are currently trailing hunters, who in the last two years, have killed wolves belonging to packs originating from YNP where hunting is prohibited. Wolf Patrol members are opposed to the sport hunting of wolves in Wolf Management Units (WMU) 313 and 316, and are asking Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) to immediately stop the hunt before more wolves are killed.”
Officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks say that while there are no laws against following hunters while they are out in the woods, but if any of the activists interfere with the hunt they will be violating Montana law.
“Fish Wildlife and Parks has no issues of any kind with people monitoring the hunts – either groups or individuals – as long as they don’t cross the line of interfering or harassing a hunter,” explained FWP game warden Sam Sheppard.
He added, “And that would include interfering such as getting in-between someone and the prey they are stalking, interfering with the natural movement of the animals whether it be wolves or elk or anything like that – or basically harassing hunters either verbally or by action.”
MTN News tried to contact the group via satellite phone, but they have not yet returned our calls.
Yellowstone Wolf Patrol member Julie Henry said in the news release that, “…in allowing the killing of Yellowstone wolves, MFWP is not just shooting wolves, but also itself in the foot, because this hunt is giving the entire tourism industry a black eye.”
“We are not opposed to Montana residents filling their freezers with elk, but the wolves were here first, and deserve protection from recreational killing,” the press release continued.
FWP officials told MTN News that they are treating this week like any other opening week for the hunting season, with patrols making regular rounds across the district.