Written by
Tribune Staff
Gov. Steve Bullock signed into a law a wolf management bill Wednesday that will allow hunters to purchase up to three wolf licenses while lowing the price of a nonresident wolf license from $350 to $50.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the changes will allow more wolves to be shot or trapped, allowing better management of the state’s growing wolf population.
“There was remarkable bipartisan support, and it sends the message our legislators agree the state having the necessary tools to manage wolves is important,” FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim said.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend, won overwhelming bipartisan approval in the Legislature, Aasheim said. It was fast-tracked so the changes can take effect before the end of the hunting and trapping season Feb. 28, he said.
Bullock said in a news release that the legislation leaves management of wolves in the hands of scientists, not politicians, where he said it belongs.
The legislation was amended by lawmakers to allow hunting and trapping of wolves near national parks and allows wildlife officials to close those areas after wolf harvest quotas are met.
In signing the legislation, Bullock asked FWP to ramp up 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 within 24-hours of purchase, instead waiting five days.
It also authorizes the use of electronic calls that mimic wolf howls or injured animals.
It removes the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter-orange clothing after the general deer and elk hunting seasons have ended.
Today, at least 1,774 wolves in 287 packs and about 109 breeding pairs occupy the northern Rockies including Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, according to FWP. The minimum Montana wolf population estimate at the close of 2011 was 653 wolves in 130 verified packs with 39 breeding pairs.
New official population estimates are expected in March.
This season, which began in September with the archery season, 199 wolves have been taken by trapping or hunting — 115 by hunting and 84 by trapping.
Bullock also directed his staff to determine the best way to reengage the wolf advisory council. The council was originally formed to lead the state’s productive wolf conservation and management plan discussions more than 12 years ago.