August 09, 2011
By Game & Fish Staff
Hunters looking to experience a wolf hunt in the U.S. this fall can set their sights towards Big Sky Country as Montana wolf hunt licenses are now on sale and valid for 14 different wolf management units.
Montana Wildlife Parks has set the harvest quota at 220 wolves across the 14 Wildlife Management Units (WMU) with each WMU having its own quota. Two WMU's have subquotas (290 and 390). FWP management areas are also open to hunting during the fall wolf season as is State School Trust land.
State Game Preserves, National Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges are closed to wolf hunting.
To purchase a license you can visit fwp.mt.gov or any FWP regional office or license provider. Wolf hunting licenses are $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents. Additionally, hunters must also have a 2011 conservation license.
The season ranges from early September to December 31st, depending on how quotas are filled. A hunting season for a specific WMU will close when the quota is reached. Hunter's should always check FWP's closure updates before each day of hunting.
After filling a tag, hunters are required to call 1-(877) FWP-WILD to report their harvest within 12 hours of the kill.
Hunters can harvest one wolf per license year.
SEASON DATES
- Early Season Backcountry Archery: Sept. 3-14.
- Early Season Backcountry Rifle: Sept. 15-Dec. 31.
- General Season Archery: Sept. 3-Oct. 16.
- General Season Rifle: Oct. 22-Dec. 31.
The use of any motorized vehicle, including OHVs and snowmobiles is prohibited while hunting wolves. You can also forget about the use of dogs, bait, scent, lures, traps, lights, electronic trapping devices or any recorded or electrically amplified bird or animals calls.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has a full run down of the 2011 Wolf Hunting Regulations on its website.
