In a Press Release today, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports that about 60 percent of the statewide wolf quota of 220 wolves has been met in Montana's 2011-2012 wolf hunting season.
There is a large amount of controversy over the hunting of wolves, but reality dictates that the wolf populations must be maintained not only for the survival of other species, but for the protection of humans. See this article: Alaska fatal wolf attack: Investigation complete.
A total of 100 wolves were taken during the regular archery and rifle seasons Sept. 3.—Nov. 27. The FWP Commission then extended the wolf hunting season until Feb. 15, or until the statewide quota is met. This season extension resulted in the harvest of an additional 33 wolves as of Jan. 11.
The news item from FWP said that the Commission will consider an additional wolf hunting season extension in the Bitterroot at its Jan. 19 meeting, and also noted that the FWP Commission has removed the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter orange during the extended season.
"Hunters may not realize that there are good, accessible areas for wolf hunting remaining, and that there are still open quotas," said Quentin Kujala, FWP fish and wildlife section chief. "For those wanting to harvest a wolf, now is the time."
