Wolf trapping season set to close Feb. 15 in much of Montana
This undated photo released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a dispersing wolf from the Oregon Pack OR-54, a descendent of the famous OR-7, the first wild wolf in California in nearly a century. The growth of Oregon's wolf population slowed significantly last year because 21 animals were killed by human poaching, were hit by cars or were killed by wildlife officials after eating livestock. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the 2021 census counted 175 wolves, up just two animals from the previous year. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP, File)
HELENA – Wolf trapping season is set to close in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks administrative regions 1, 2, and 3 at midnight on Feb. 15.
The closure is mandated by a federal district court order in November, which closed wolf trapping in these areas until Jan. 1 and then after Feb. 15.
FWP appealed the court ruling but has yet to receive a decision on the appeal.
Wolf trappers in FWP regions 1, 2, and 3 must have their traps out of the field by midnight on Feb. 15. The wolf harvest season is closed in the rest of Montana due to reaching established quotas.
The order applies only to trapping and snaring and does not apply to wolf hunting season which will remain open in regions 1, 2 and 3 until March 15 or the harvest quota is reached.
Hunters should be familiar with the 2023 wolf regulations. Current wolf quotas can be tracked via the Wolf Harvest Dashboard.
FWP and the Fish and Wildlife Commission worked diligently to assemble and implement sound science-based management for wolves and grizzly bears, including the wolf regulations impacted by this ruling.
The recovered status of grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide and Yellowstone ecosystems is testimony to this effort.