In the Montana Legislature, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition has been working with all of you to protect wolves. 

Since the start of the Legislative session, more than 600 people have spoken up for Montana wolves – THANK YOU! We appreciate your thoughtful and swift action, and it’s made a difference. 

We celebrated in late January when House Bill 222 – a bill that would have cut the wolf population in half – died in the House. Thank you to the Representatives who voted no and a huge thanks to all of you who sent comments. 

Yet, our work is not done. 

We continue to track a similar bill – House Bill 176 – that may establish an unlimited gray wolf hunting quota when the wolf population reaches 550 or more. Currently, the wolf population hovers around 1,100. This bill would halve the Montana wolf population. 

It suggests the governor-appointed Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission issue multiple wolf licenses to applicants, allowing individuals to harvest an unlimited number of wolves during wolf hunting and trapping seasons.  

The bill would allow the use of bait for wolf hunting or trapping and allows hunting on private land outside of daylight hours using artificial light or night vision scopes.   

This bill is bad because: 

• The bill’s target population – 550 wolves – is arbitrary and not based on science. Setting an unsupported target not only threatens the long-term sustainability of wolf populations but also undermines the credibility of Montana’s wildlife management practices. A sustainable population must be determined by experts using sound science, not politically motivated whims.   

• This bill adopts a broad-brush, statewide approach to wolf management rather than tailoring policies to reflect the varying wants and needs of Montana’s communities. Wolves and their interactions with ecosystems vary greatly across regions, and a one-size-fits-all strategy disregards local perspectives and on-the-ground conditions.  

• Legislative interference in wildlife management sets a troubling precedent. Decisions regarding wildlife should remain in the hands of professional biologists and wildlife managers who can rely on science and community input to guide sustainable policies. Political involvement risks undermining public trust and the integrity of the management process. 

This bill passed through the House and into the Senate. We expect to see a vote from the Senate Fish and Game Committee in the coming days.   

We are also monitoring House Bill 258 (HB 258), which passed the House this week. 

HB 258 requires a three-month extension of the wolf hunting season in Montana to align with the current end of black bear season, June 15.  This bill threatens the state’s wolf population and disregards the wants and needs of Montana’s communities. 

This bill is bad because: 

• Wolf harvest policies should be tailored to the unique needs of each region, rather than being applied at a statewide level. A one-size-fits-all strategy disregards on-the-ground conditions and the wants and needs of Montana’s communities. 

• Extending the wolf hunting season from mid-March to the current end of spring black bear season in mid-June allows hunting during the time that wolves are denning and giving birth.  

• Tying the wolf hunting season end date to another species’ hunting season end date makes adjusting either challenging in the future. 

• Wolves killed during spring or summer do not provide furs or pelts in usable condition – this is wasteful harvest. 

HB 258 successfully passed the House and is moving to the Senate where it will be assigned to a committee.  

We’ll continue to monitor these bills, and others that impact Greater Yellowstone’s lands, waters, and wildlife, and let you know about opportunities to take action. 

While our work continues, we want to express our gratitude to all of you. You make this work possible.

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—London Bernier, Communications Associate (Bozeman, MT)