Immediate changes to Montana wolf season

If you are hunting or trapping wolves in Montana, you need to be aware of some changes that are effective immediately due to a temporary restraining order issued by a district court in Lewis and Clark County, according to a press release. 

The order institutes changes as outlined below:

• Wolf management units (WMU) 110, 313 and 316 will be reinstituted as they were in 2020 wolf regulations. Remember that WMU 110 borders Glacier National Park and WMUs 313 and 316 are located north of Yellowstone National Park.
• 2020 wolf quotas will be reinstituted for WMU 110, 313 and 316, which are two wolves for WMU 110 and one wolf each for WMU 313 and 316. To date, one wolf has already been harvested in WMU 313. 
• Wolf hunting and trapping in WMU 313 is now closed because the quota was met.
• WMU 110 and 316 are still open.
• All hunters and trappers are restricted to five wolves per person, per season.
• Snares are not considered a legal method of take when trapping wolves.

This is only a temporary restraining order. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) will argue their case at a hearing scheduled for Nov. 28. The restraining order is set to expire on Nov. 29.

“We have a healthy and stable population of wolves in Montana,” said MFWP Director Hank Worsech. “We’ve proven we can manage wolves across the state and will continue to do so. We will comply with the judge’s order and look forward to the opportunity to defend good science and management strategies.”

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further updates.