Gray wolf
Montana Fish, Wildlife &
Parks Enforcement is investigating two incidents of poaching occurring
in southwest Montana in the last month, according to a news release from
the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
On
May 10, a hiker found a dead wolf in the Gardiner area, a couple hundred
yards off Old Yellowstone Trail. FWP staff responded, and determined
the wolf to be a yearling female. It is estimated she was shot sometime
between May 4 and May 7. Prior to May 4, several young wolves had been
active in the Cutler Meadows area.
Then, on May 23, an
adult male wolf was discovered shot dead at the Ruby River Long Creek
Divide just north of the Centennial Valley at the intersection of Ruby
Road and Forest Service Road 1216. It is estimated the animal was shot
one or two days prior to being found.
As with any
species, it is illegal to kill a wolf during a closed season. Penalties
for doing so involve a citation and $1,000 in restitution to the state
of Montana.
Anyone with information about either of these
cases is asked to call 800-TIP-MONT. Callers may remain anonymous and
may be eligible for a reward.
