Montana held a successful wolf hunt in 2011, but management plan comments for the 2012 season have quadrupled, and trapping is to blame.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, 6,500 comments have been submitted on the 2012 wolf management plan released by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission. They only received 1,500 comments before initiating the season last year. Montana wants to expand the season for bow and rifle hunters and also allow trappers to target wolves.
“It’s safe to say the real issue here is trapping. That’s generated the single most response, on both sides,” said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim.
Hunters failed to reach the quota of 220 wolves last season, only harvesting 166. FWP is hoping that increasing opportunities will help the state reach their quota this season, and thin the burgeoning wolf population. There are plenty of points of contention though. Trappers could get three wolves, while hunters are still only allowed one. Some trappers want to be allowed to use snares. And animal rights activists don’t want them to use anything at all. We’ll let you how this shakes down. –Brian McClintock
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