Public comment sought on MT wolf hunt proposal

Public comment sought on MT wolf hunt proposal

Posted: May 19, 2012 2:16 PM by KPAX/KAJ Media Center

 

HELENA- State wildlife officials are looking for the public to weigh in plans for the next proposed wolf hunting and trapping season.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say that trapping and hunting of wolves is provided for in Montana's wolf conservation and management plan and are now looking for public comment on the next hunt, which would begin in September.
Montana's 2011 wolf season included a statewide hunting-only quota of 220 wolves aimed at reducing the minimum population to about 425 wolves, but hunters harvested just 166 wolves last season.
"We're proposing a 2012 season that aims to get us closer to a post-season population count of 425 wolves as stated in 2011," McDonald said.
He pointed out that the FWP population count only represents an annual target for the 2012 hunting season and that the 2012 season is also aimed at helping Montana meet management objectives that include reduced impacts to livestock and ungulate populations while maintaining a viable wolf population.
The general season would run from September 1, 2012 until February 28, 2013, with trapping allowed from December 15th until the end of the general wolf season.
FWP is encouraging the public to read the complete wolf hunting season proposal and submit public comments online.

Public information meetings are set for 7-9 p.m. at these locations:

• May 22-Missoula-Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown at the Park
• May 22-Bozeman-Holiday Inn; 5 E Baxter Ln.
• May 22-Great Falls-FWP Region 4 Office; 4600 Giant Springs Rd.
• May 22-Billings-FWP Region 5 Office; 2300 Lake Elmo Dr.
• June 13-Kalispell-Flathead Valley Community College; 777 Grandview Dr.

The public may also comment in writing through June 25 to: FWP - Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701. For questions, call the FWP Wildlife Bureau at (406) 444.2612.