Montana commission to increase gray wolf hunt quota by at least twice that of 2009

Montana to at least double 2009 wolf hunt quota

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission plans to at least double the number of gray wolves that hunters can kill this year.

Commissioners voted Thursday to accept a staff recommendation to increase the quota of wolves in this year’s hunting season. After a public comment period, they will vote in July whether that final number will be 150, 186 or 216 animals.

Last year’s quota was 75.

According to state wildlife computer models, the proposed quotas would reduce the state’s wolf population between 8 percent and 20 percent from last year’s minimum count of 524.

The proposed quotas do not include wolves killed by wildlife officials responding to complaints of attacks on livestock. Some 145 wolves were killed that way in 2009.