Open House for Wolf Hunting Season 2010

Credit: (Riverside Lodge, Manitoba Canada)

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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, in Miles City will hold a public open house to discuss tentatively approved regulations for Montana’s 2010 wolf season on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the FWP regional office conference room.

Montana conducted its first-ever licensed wolf hunt fall of 2009. Based on lessons learned from the 2009 season, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) managers want to create a total of 14 wolf-hunting units this season, as well as increase the number of animals that can be harvested.

At a May 13 meeting in Helena, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission approved quota alternatives of 153, 186 or 216 wolves in the 14 different wolf management units (WMUs). S ub-quota areas are also being considered to limit harvest during early season backcountry hunts and in an area directly north of Yellowstone National Park.

Also proposed this year is a wolf archery season for all WMUs that would open Sept. 4 and run through Oct. 17, the same time as Montana’s deer, elk, lion, and black bear archery seasons.

In the 2009 season, the statewide harvest quota was 75 wolves across three WMUs. Officials estimate that at least 524 wolves in 101 verified packs and 37 breeding pairs inhabited the state at the end of 2009. The Montana wolf population is predicted to decrease under each of the quota alternatives currently being considered by the FWP Commission.

Public comment on the proposed wolf regulation changes will be accepted until 5 p.m. on June 14, and final quotas will be adopted by the FWP Commission on July 8. Hunting licenses will cost $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents. License sales for the 2010 wolf season are scheduled to begin in early August.

Informational meetings to discuss the proposals will take place at various locations across the state on June 2. Participants can submit written comments at that time or w ritten comments can be sent to: FWP – Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, POB 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

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