It looks like the final numbers are now in for the Montana and Idaho wolf hunts. Montana, which added a trapping season this year, is up by about a third. Curiously, Idaho’s totals are down quite a bit.
Here are the stories . . .
Wolf Hunt Ends with 36 Percent Increase Over Last Season – Flathead Beacon
Idaho officials report 245 wolves killed this season, down from 379 – Missoulian
Montana’s first wolf trapping season got off to a low-profile start, but not without a public protest . . .
Montana’s 2012 wolf hunt shifted to a new gear on Saturday as trapping became a legal way to take the predators.
However, state Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials don’t expect a rush of activity over the weekend. Trappers could not place traps before Saturday, and may leave them unchecked for up to 48 hours. They must report any kills within 24 hours.
Experienced trapper Mike Day of Missoula said he didn’t expect much success at all from the state’s new trapping program. Between the unhelpful weather and the difficult rules, he doubted the wolves had much to fear.
As anticipated, Montana officials shut down wolf hunting and trapping in areas close to Yellowstone National Park . . .
Montana wildlife commissioners closed down the state’s gray wolf season in some areas north of Yellowstone National Park on Monday, in response to a spate of recent shootings of animals that had been collared for scientific research.
The move shuts down hunting and trapping in areas to the east and west of the town of Gardiner, just days before trapping season was set to begin.
But wildlife commissioners did not yield to pressure from wildlife advocates to create a permanent and more extensive buffer around the park.
Montana is considering limits on wolf trapping near Yellowstone National Park . . .
Restrictions on gray wolf harvests around Yellowstone National Park are under consideration as the state prepares to kick off its inaugural wolf trapping season Dec. 15…
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Shane Colton says closing some areas to trapping or setting strict quotas will be on the table during a Monday commission meeting.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wants public comments on a proposed wolf trapping rule for this corner of the state. Basically, they want to set the minimum weight it takes to spring a trap to at least eight pounds.
There’s more information online, including an “Interested Persons Letter” explaining the proposal and a feedback form for comments. Comments close on November 5 at 5:00pm.
The Flathead Beacon also has a write-up on the issue . . .
Montana wildlife regulators have given initial approval to wolf-trapping rules meant to reduce the chances of dogs, lynx and other animals from being caught.
The Great Falls Tribune reports the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission took a preliminary vote Thursday on the proposed rules, which will now go to the public for a 30-day comment period before a final vote is taken.
The proposal includes setting the tension on trap pans at a minimum of eight pounds. The tension setting is the amount of weight it takes to spring a trap, Wildlife Bureau Chief Ken McDonald said.
An environmental group wants a no-trapping buffer in the areas of Montana near Yellowstone Park to protect wolves that wander outside the boundaries . . .
A conservation group wants a trap-free buffer in Montana to protect wolves roaming outside Yellowstone National Park.
The Greater Yellowstone Coalition says the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission shouldn’t allow wolf trapping in three management units that cover southern Montana from the Absaroka Mountains to the Madison Range.
This year’s Montana wolf hunt proposal stirred things up a bit . . .
The public response to the plans for this year’s wolf hunt in Montana has been staggering: A whopping 6,500 comments have been received on the proposal set for approval Thursday by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission.
That far outnumbers the 1,500 comments received on the 2011 wolf hunt plan and just about doubles the comments FWP took on last year’s hotly debated proposal to relocate Yellowstone National Park bison, agency officials said.
Driving the renewed interest is a proposal to expand the hunt to include trapping for the first time, along with bow and rifle seasons.
Here’s some more information on the upcoming Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks “listening session” to discuss changes in wolf hunt regulations . . .
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host an open house in Kalispell on Wednesday, June 13, to give information and answer questions on the proposed 2012-13 wolf hunting and trapping season.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology Building. At the open house, people will break out into small groups to discuss details and work on comments regarding the proposals.
Under the wolf season proposals, the general season would run from Sept. 1, 2012, to Feb. 28, 2013, with trapping allowed from Dec. 15 to the end of the general wolf season. There would be no statewide quota, but quotas would be established in two areas near Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.
Here’s more information on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks effort to gather public feedback on this year’s proposed wolf hunting and trapping regulations. (For more background, see last week’s post.) . . .
Residents will have a chance to speak up about proposed changes to the wolf hunting and trapping season at a public gathering in Kalispell next week.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting an open house forum in the Science and Technology building at Flathead Valley Community College from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 13.
Wildlife officials will give a presentation on the proposed regulations that were recently approved by the state wildlife commission. Attendees will be able to ask questions and discuss the proposals further afterward.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is gathering public feedback on this year’s proposed wolf hunting and trapping regulations. (Yes, that’s right, they are talking about allowing trapping this year.)
Most of these state-wide “listening sessions” were held on May 22, but there is one more scheduled for June 13, 7-9 p.m., at the Flathead Valley Community College, 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell. The increased wolf quota and inclusion of trapping made earlier presentations fairly contentious, so expect the meeting in Kalispell to be lively.
Montana FWP also wants written public comment. Realistically, this is more effective than attending one of the meetings. Deadline for written comments is June 25. Send comments to FWP – Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Call the FWP Wildlife Bureau at 406-444-2612 with any questions about the process.
For details on the proposed changes to Montana’s wolf hunting regulations, read FWP’s “Interested Persons Letter“.
You can also read the full press release online.