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Wolf Hunting Quotas: Proposals Create Controversy

Wolf Hunting Quotas: Proposals Create Controversy

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: May 13, 2010 at 5:35 PM MST

Story Updated: May 13, 2010 at 5:35 PM MST

To hunt or not to hunt is no longer the question. The number of wolves being hunted is the question - and a controversial one at that. The 2010 proposed wolf hunting quotas are under fire as commission members, outdoor enthusiasts and community members try to see eye to eye.

Mrs. Smith, a local rancher says, "For the long term, for rancher’s that have to live with this, is shooting more wolves really going to solve the problem.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Bob Ream says “you know people criticize these numbers and we get comments like oh they don’t know what they’re doing in the field but I have to tell you we have a better handle on wolf numbers than any other game species in Montana.”

Due to last year’s quota of 75 wolves being met in record time the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission has developed a harvest model projecting figures and proposing the number of wolves that can be hunted for the upcoming season.

Ron Aasheim, FWP Chief of Communications says “it’s been controversial since day one when you look at the impacts there are to livestock producers, you look at impacts it has on other wildlife populations in some areas. There’s an impact on a lifestyle and recreational opportunities that have been a part of our culture forever.”

The highest and lowest quotas were thrown out and now the public is allowed to comment and aide the commission in deciding which quota to imply. The three being considered are 160, 186 and 216 wolves.

Daniel Bennett, a local hunter says “ if they would up the quota, I’m a fan of the 216, actually more so but if that’s our limitations then I’ll take what I can get.”

For example, using the commission's harvest model if a quota of 186 was implemented, it is predicted statewide that there would be 488 wolves at the end of the year which would reduce the population by 13 percent.

Barb Cestero of the Greater Yellowstone Commission says “we are concerned because Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has thrown out for next season, the quotas we’re concerned are too high because they run the risk of reducing the wolf population too far too fast.”

For their harvest model, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park used factors such as birth rate, death, immigration and emigration from wolf populations last year to make the hunting quota predictions for this year.

Montana FWP will take public comment beginning today, May 13th through June 14th with a final adoption scheduled July 8th. Hunting Licenses will go on sale on August 2nd, 2010

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