BUTTE — State Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say Montana hunters have killed 44 wolves, including 33 since the Oct. 22 start of the statewide deer and elk rifle season.
Montana’s first wolf hunt, held in 2009, netted 73 wolves. This year’s quota is 220.
FWP Region 2 wildlife manager Mike Thompson tells The Montana Standard that hunting has been slow in two areas. Just two of the allowed 18 wolves have been killed in the West Fork of the Bitterroot River area, while one of 22 has been taken in the district that includes the Big Hole Valley and most of Granite and Deer Lodge counties.
Agency spokesman John Fraley says he expects the harvest will pick up when it snows. The wolf season last for two more months.