wolf hunting

Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit challenging Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping season after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that gray wolves do not require federal protections. In a recent court hearing, arguments were presented regarding the potential impact of the state’s quota allowing the killing of up to 458 wolves, with concerns raised about the sustainability of the wolf population and the scientific validity of the state’s population estimation methods. The judge has yet to rule on a request for a temporary halt to the hunting season while the broader legal challenge continues.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved new regulations for wolf hunting and trapping, establishing a statewide quota of 452 wolves amidst ongoing debates about the state’s wolf population management. Conservation groups have expressed concerns over the scientific basis for the proposed quotas, while supporters argue that stable wolf populations necessitate increased hunting limits. The commission plans to revisit these regulations next summer.