I previously wrote a piece about wolves killed by Gardiner, Montana. As I noted in my original post I was not able to independently confirm the details and have since learned more about the situation. Here’s the latest information I have been provided.
Bison at Beatty Gulch just north of Yellowstone NP border. Photo George Wuerthner
6 wolves were legally killed in WMU313 (which includes the Beattie Gulch area) over 2023-2024 MT wolf hunting season. All 6 were from YNP-based packs.
Wolves that leave Yellowstone suffer high mortality from hunting and trapping. In response to the public outrage over the slaughter of 25 Yellowstone wolves in 2021-22, most of which were killed in Montana, the state instituted a six-wolf limit and closed the season after that number of wolves were killed.
In additon a number of wolves from Yellowstone were killed in Wyoming and Idaho. The total known Yellowstone wolf deaths this season is 10.
One wolf was killed illegally (not three as previously insinuated in my earlier post) and is under investigation.
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks wardens are investigating the wolf kills, with the assistance of Yellowstone National Park wolf biologists. As I learn more I will add to this post.
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