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Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approves lower wolf quota for season
The new rules cut the statewide quota from 450 and cap hunters and trappers at 10 wolves each as officials use updated population models.
- On Wednesday, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved a 300-wolf statewide harvest quota for the 2026-27 season, down from last season's 450-wolf limit.
- State biologists utilized a newer model of the original integrated patch occupancy model, or IPOM, to determine the limits, with officials opting to "split the difference" after finding previous estimates over-estimated.
- Montana FWP confirmed 68 livestock losses to wolves, influencing regional quotas set at 131 in region 1 and 92 in region 2, with hunters permitted to harvest up to 10 wolves each.
- Passionate public debate marked Wednesday's meeting, with some attendees criticizing the commission for late amendments made without public comment, while ranchers supported the reduction to protect livestock and big game.
- These regulations apply to the fall 2026 and winter 2027 seasons and will be revisited next year; Montana FWP director Christy Clark defended the process, stating it is one Montanans "certainly value.
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Montana scales back wolf harvest after new estimate shows population decline
Hunters and trappers can kill 300 wolves this season. The state estimates the total population sits at 725. The post Montana scales back wolf harvest after new estimate shows population decline appeared first on Montana Free Press.
Helena Independent Record+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
'Split the difference': Fish and Wildlife Commission sets Montana wolf harvest quota
Montana wildlife officials opted Wednesday to “split the difference” in setting hunting and trapping limits on wolves after state biologists determined they may have been over-estimating their populations.
·Helena, United States
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Center
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources are Center
92% Center
C 92%
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