Montana could double or triple wolf quota. Please attend-
Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks will be holding them. The meetings will be held at the following locations on June 2 from 7-9 p.m.:
* Billings—FWP Headquarters; 2300 Lake Elmo Dr.
* Bozeman—Holiday Inn; 5 E. Baxter Lane
* Glasgow—Valley County Court House; 501 Court Square
* Great Falls—FWP Headquarters; 4600 Giant Springs Rd.
* Kalispell—FWP Headquarters; 490 N. Meridian Rd.
* Miles City—FWP Headquarters; 352 I-94 Business Loop
* Missoula—Double Tree Hotel Missoula Edgewater; 100 Madison
Proposed Wolf Hunting Season for 2010—major changes from last year:
- This year FWP is proposing to at least double or triple the number of wolves that can be shot by hunters. There are 3 “quota” options for public comment and consideration: 153, 186, or 216 wolves. (Last year’s hunting quota was 75 wolves.)
- The proposal Wolf Hunting Units—14 smaller units proposed with several sub-units (last year’s structure was comprised of 3 large units statewide).
- Extended season length—the season will run until December 31, 2010 unless the quota is met sooner. A new archery-only season beginning Sept. 4. A new backcountry rifle season beginning Sept. 15.
- Only one wolf license per hunter.
There are 3 proposed rules that tighten hunting regulations that may help reduce illegal wolf killing, and which can be supported:
- Any illegal take (poaching) will be subtracted from the hunting quota.
- Any “over-run” of the quota in an individual sub-unit will be subtracted from the quota in the larger area.
- A new 5-day waiting period—wolf hunting licenses will not be valid until 5 days from the date of purchase.
You may comment on any of the proposed regulations above, as well as the quota numbers.
You could also ask FWP Commissioners to ban hunting within 10 miles of Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks to protect core populations.
FWP Commissioners will read public comment until June 14, and then vote to select one of the three quotas, and vote to approve or disapprove individual regulations at their July 8 meeting.
For more details on the proposed wolf hunting regulations, see: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/default.html
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Ralph, why don’t they include the wolves that ws kills in the wolf hunting quota? That is what they should do from now on.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe baiting and trapping is not going to be allowed if this wolf hunt goes thru in MT. I think that Idaho is considering trapping and baiting, but we won’t know until they release that info. They need to start including the wolves that ws kills in the wolf hunting quota.
They do need to include the wolves killed by Wildlife Services.
They do need to include the wolves killed by WS in their consideration because currently MT FWP had WS to take out 15 wolves across the state because of alleged offenses against livestock.
“So far this year, 64 wolves have died, with the majority — 44 — being shot by federal agents for preying on livestock. The others were killed by cars or property owners or died from unknown causes.” From the story 5 deadly days for wolves. Helena Independent Record.
Not that I would like a hunting season at all, but Montana FWP also will not include poached wolves in the quota.
Well it is very important to ask that they do.
If anything FWP is showing some true colours with this.
I would like to see WS killed wolves held against the quota as others suggest, other than that I think these sounds like fairly well thought out improvements on the inaugural hunt.
Comments will be taken until June 14. Is June 15 the day Judge Molloy is supposed to make his ruling concerning re-listing/de-listing?
June 15th is the day he has schedule to hear oral arguments..
One really has to ask themselves do they really believe that wolves will be safe and out of harm’s way if Molloy relists them? Relisting them will only anger the wolf haters more and some of them will try to find wolves and kill them secretly. SSS will be in full effect.If they get relisted, the wolves from the hunters would be safe although I see some wolves being poached by wolf haters, but wildlife services will continue to kill wolves. Until something is done with ws, wolves are in danger.
Jon I have been reading a lot of your posts today for some reason and I wonder if you ever have a good day . . must you see the most negative possible outcome in every new item? Remember stress kills and sometimes it is good to take a break.
Linda, I agree, I think many people are like that with wolves for sure. Unfortunately a conservative “harvest” (kill) would probably be best all around but we know that that won’t happen and hence the lawsuits. Even though it happens with just about all other wildlife species… And to design hunting around historic WS livestock kills would make the most sense but will that happen as well? Hopefully Molloy will agree with these thoughts.
Let’s keep at least 10 breeding pairs of wolves. Allow more hunting of wolves to protect elk, deer, and antelope. We support your efforts so far and pray that wolves never go back on the Endangered Species List . John and Jeanette