BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – Trappers killed 77 gray wolves in Montana during the 2014-2015 season that ended over the weekend.
That’s down from the previous trapping season, when 87 wolves were killed.
To date, a total of 204 wolves have been killed by hunters and trappers this winter. Montana’s rifle hunting season for the animals ends March 15.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim said the final tally for this winter’s wolf harvest is expected to fall short of the 230 wolves killed in the 2013-2014 season.
Separately, six of the predators have been killed by landowners, under a new state law that allows wolves to be killed if they are considered a potential threat to livestock or human safety.