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New Wolf Law Takes Effect Immediately – MFWP

NEW WOLF LAWS TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY

A wolf management bill that won swift and overwhelming bipartisan support in the Montana Legislature was signed into law today by the state’s new governor.
Gov. Steve Bullock said the law, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Flynn, will allow hunters to purchase up to three wolf licenses and lowers the price of a nonresident wolf license from $350 to $50. The measure will also fortify state wildlife officials’ science-based efforts to manage Montana’s recovered and growing wolf population, the Governor said.
“This legislation leaves management of the gray wolf where it belongs, in the hands of scientists, not politicians,” Gov. Bullock said.
The legislation was amended by law makers to allow hunting and trapping of wolves near national parks and allows wildlife officials to close such areas after established wolf harvest quotas are met.
In signing the legislation, Gov. Bullock asked FWP to ramp up education programs aimed at averting the harvest of collared wolves near national parks.
Gov. Bullock also directed his staff to determine the best way to reengage the wolf advisory council. The council was originally formed to lead the state’s productive wolf conservation and management plan discussions more than 12 years ago.
The new law also allows for wolf hunters to use their license after 24-hours of purchase, instead of a five-day wait; authorizes the use of electronic calls ; and removes the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter-orange clothing after the general deer and elk hunting seasons have ended.
The recovery of the wolf in the northern Rockies—an area generally comprised of wolf populations in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming—remains one of the fastest endangered species comebacks on record. The recovery goal for wolves in the three states was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs—successfully reproducing wolf packs—and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years. In the mid 1990s, to hasten the overall pace of wolf recovery, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released wolves into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. By 2002 the recovery goal was reached and the wolf population has increased every year since.
Today, at least 1,774 wolves in 287 packs and about 109 breeding pairs, live in the region. The minimum Montana wolf population estimates at the end of 2011 include 653 wolves, in 130 verified packs, and 39 breeding pairs. New official population estimates are expected in March.
Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping seasons are open through Feb. 28. So far, hunters have taken 115 wolves and trappers have reported taking 84 wolves. For more information, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Montana Wolf Hunt”.

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FWP Seeks Comment On Wolf Hunting And Trapping Closure Near Gardiner

FWP Seeks Comment On Wolf Hunting And Trapping Closure Near Gardiner
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Commission

 

State wildlife officials are seeking additional comment on a recent court-challenged decision to close the wolf hunting and trapping seasons in two areas north of Yellowstone National Park.

The areas were closed by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission on Dec. 10, in response to concern about the harvest of wolves with collars that supply scientific information to YNP researchers. A temporary restraining order issued earlier this month by a state district judge, however, reopened the seasons with the court questioning whether FWP offered sufficient public notice about the closure. The areas in question are within Wolf Management Unit 390 near Gardiner.

The FWP Commission will meet via conference call on Jan. 29 to reconsider its closure decision.

Commissioners adopted the 2012-13 wolf hunting and trapping seasons in July, after nearly two months of public comment on proposed wolf seasons and harvest limits. In response to that public comment, commissioners further directed FWP to conduct a review of the overall harvest prior to the Dec. 15 opening of the wolf trapping season to determine if season adjustments would be needed. At the time, FWP noted in press releases and on its website that the FWP Commission could close the wolf season at anytime. Montana’s wolf hunting regulations also state that the FWP Commission has the authority to close the wolf season.

The commission conference call is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Jan 29. The call will be audio-streamed live on FWP’s website and video-streamed live in each FWP regional office, where public comment can be offered. To comment online, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Hunting“. Comments must be received by 5 p.m., Jan. 25. While online comments are preferred, written comments can be mailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attn: Wolf Comments, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

A two-hour hearing on the district court lawsuit challenging the FWP Commission’s decision to close the areas occurred Monday in Livingston. The suit was filed by several sporting groups and a state representative from Park County. A ruling hasn’t yet been issued.

Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping seasons are open through Feb. 28. So far, hunters have taken 104 wolves and trappers have reported taking 48 wolves. More than 653 wolves inhabited Montana at the end of 2011.