Montana to at least double its wolf-hunt limit; still would be below Idaho’s from this year
Montana plans to at least double the number of gray wolves it'll allow hunters there to target in that state's next wolf-hunting season, the AP reports, though Montana's limit this year was just 75. Idaho set its wolf hunting limit at 220 this year, but just 188 were taken by hunters; Idaho's Fish & Game Commission plans to consider limits for next year in August, though a federal court case could affect wolf hunt plans in both states. Here's the Montana news item from the Associated Press:
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission plans to at least double the number of gray wolves hunters can kill this year. Commissioners voted Thursday to accept a staff recommendation to increase the quota of wolves in this year's hunting season. After a public comment period, they will vote in July whether that final number will be 150, 186 or 216 wolves. Last year's quota was 75. The proposed quotas would reduce the state's wolf population between 8 percent and 20 percent from last year's minimum count of 524 wolves, according to state wildlife computer models. The proposed quotas do not include wolves killed by wildlife officials responding to complaints of attacks on livestock. Some 145 wolves were killed that way in 2009.