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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.
- On Friday in Helena, First Judicial District Court Judge Christopher Abbott heard arguments as plaintiffs WildEarth Guardians, Earth and Land Institute, Footloose Montana and Gallatin Wildlife Association sought to halt Montana's ongoing wolf hunting season.
- Conservation groups argued the suit targets new state rules that raise wolf hunting quotas, increase pelt reimbursement, and allow night-vision scopes on private land under 2025-2026 wolf hunting regulations.
- The court relied on an environmental agency report noting about 25 wolf litters in 2023-2024, disputing the state's assumption of 450 wolves based on 15 breeding pairs.
- Judge Christopher Abbott will rule on the preliminary injunction soon as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks defended its science, while Outdoor Heritage Coalition and Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife argued agencies have a statutory mandate to reduce the wolf population.
- With the season running to March 15 and trapping starting Dec. 1, intervenors like the Outdoor Heritage Coalition and Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife are involved, and the dispute ties to a 2022 legal fight, according to Alex Scolavino.
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13 Articles
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 Sources13
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 27%
C 73%
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