fbpx

FWP to Hold Public Forum on Proposed Wolf Regulations

By Beacon Staff

Residents will have a chance to speak up about proposed changes to the wolf hunting and trapping season at a public gathering in Kalispell next week.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting an open house forum in the Science and Technology building at Flathead Valley Community College from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 13.

Wildlife officials will give a presentation on the proposed regulations that were recently approved by the state wildlife commission. Attendees will be able to ask questions and discuss the proposals further afterward.

The state FWP commission tentatively approved changes that would allow wolves to be trapped for the first time, eliminate hunting quotas everywhere except the two districts bordering Glacier and Yellowstone national parks and expand the season. The general season would run from Sept. 1 to Feb. 28, 2013, with trapping allowed from Dec. 15 to the end of the general wolf season.

Montana’s 2011 wolf season included a statewide hunting-only quota of 220 wolves aimed at reducing the minimum population to about 425 wolves. Hunters harvested 166 wolves last season.

Public comment is open through June 25. Send letters to FWP – Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, Mont., 59620-0701.

For questions, call the FWP Wildlife Bureau at 406-444-2612.