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Judge hears arguments in challenge to Montana's wolf hunting, trapping seasons
Environmental groups seek to stop Montana's wolf hunting amid ongoing legal debate over wildlife conservation and management policies.
- First Judicial District Court Judge Christopher Abbott heard arguments Friday in Helena as plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction to halt Montana's ongoing wolf hunting and trapping season.
- Conservation groups argued the suit targets new state rules raising wolf hunting quotas, increasing pelt reimbursement, and allowing night-vision scopes on private land under 2025-2026 wolf hunting regulations.
- Conservation attorneys highlighted 62 wolves killed so far, disputed the state's 15 breeding pairs and 450 total wolves survival assumption, while a state lawyer said there are more than 1,000 wolves.
- Judge Christopher Abbott will rule on the preliminary injunction soon as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks defended its science and statutory mandate to reduce wolf population, with intervenors backing the state.
- With the season running to March 15 and trapping starting Dec. 1, intervenors including Outdoor Heritage Coalition and Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife link the case to a 2022 legal fight, while state lawyer Alex Scolavino said the high quota reflects perceived population stability.
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Helena Independent Record+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Judge hears arguments in challenge to Montana's wolf hunting, trapping seasons
Attorneys for Montana and a coalition of environmental groups sparred in court Friday over whether a judge should halt the state’s ongoing wolf hunting and trapping season.
·Helena, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Center
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
78% Center
L 22%
C 78%
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