fbpx

First Wolf Killed in Montana’s Archery Hunt

By Beacon Staff

BOZEMAN – Montana wildlife officials say the first wolf has been taken in this winter’s hunt.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim said an archer killed the male wolf in Stillwater County on Sunday.

This season, hunters are allowed to kill 220 wolves, compared with 75 in the first hunt in 2009. No hunt was held last winter.

This year’s hunt is taking place after wolves in Montana and Idaho were removed from federal protection by Congress.

Aasheim says 8,110 hunting licenses had been sold through Tuesday, just over half the number sold by the end of the 2009 season.

The archery season opened Saturday. The early backcountry season for hunting wolves with rifles begins Sept. 15 and the general season begins Oct. 22.