By PERRY BACKUS Ravalli Republic
Prospective wolf trappers are letting Montana wildlife officials know they’re ready to take the classes needed to allow them to take part in the state’s first wolf trapping season.
On Wednesday afternoon, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began taking names of people interested in taking the required certification classes.
Less than 24 hours later, 110 people had signed the roster.
When the FWP Commission approved the state’s first wolf trapping season, it required prospective trappers to attend certification classes to learn what it will take to properly harvest a wolf.
“These trappers must be thoughtful and they need to understand that they’ll be representing their fellow Montanans and hunters and trappers everywhere,” said Ken McDonald, FWP’s wildlife bureau chief in Helena.
The wolf trapping season is scheduled to begin Dec. 15 and end Feb. 28.
The classes will offer insights into the state’s wolf population and the trappers’ associated responsibilities.
“Some of the topics that will be covered during the certification class include a brief look at the history of wolves in Montana and the current status of wolves in the state,” McDonald said. “We’ll discuss wolf management and the role of trapping in conservation, trapping ethics, regulations and proper techniques, caring for a harvested wolf and reporting and registering one’s harvest.”
FWP spokesman Tom Palmer said the material will be covered in one class.
To gauge interest in the upcoming classes, FWP asked prospective trappers to enter their name and place of residence on a certification roster found at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/trapping/certificationClass.html
“We want to be able to see how many people are interested and where most of those are from so we can decide where to establish classes,” Palmer said. “A lot of the class will be focused on taking personal responsibility. They will be representing a whole lot of people in Montana.”
The wolf trapping issue has been controversial. The state received over 65,000 comments on the upcoming hunting and trapping season.
“They came from both ends of the spectrum,” Palmer said. “This issue stirs a lot of passion and interest. Trapping is a proper way to manage wolves. It’s a good tool if used correctly.”
Montana trapping licenses are currently on sale. The cost is $20 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. All people interested in trapping this season must attend the certification class.
Wolf hunting licenses will go on sale in August.
At the end of 2011, the minimum wolf population estimate in Montana included 653 wolves in 130 verified packs and 39 breeding pairs. The minimum number only includes wolves actually counted by FWP wolf specialists. Officials say the actual wolf population is likely 10 percent to 30 percent higher.