Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

HELENA - Licenses for this year's Montana wolf hunt are going on sale on Monday, Aug. 8, and they will be valid within 14 specifically defined wolf management units.

Hunters can purchase a wolf license online or from any FWP regional office or license provider. Hunters must have, or also purchase, a 2011 conservation license in order to take part in the upcoming would hunt.

Wolf hunting licenses cost $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents. The hunting season will close in a specific WMU when the quota is reached and Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks reports that if a WMU's quota isn't met, the wolf hunting season will be extended in that area through Dec. 31.

Regulations and Seasons
• 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.

Hunters cannot use any motorized vehicle-including OHVs and snowmobiles-to hunt wolves and the use of dogs, bait, sent, lures, traps, lights, electronic tracking devices or any recorded or electrically amplified bird or animal calls to hunt or attract wolves is prohibited.

The total harvest quota is 220 wolves across 14 WMUs. Two management units-WMUs 290 and 390 have subquotas. Montana is divided into 14 WMU and each has its own quota. FWP wildlife management areas are open to hunting during the fall wolf season and legally accessible State School Trust Land is also open to wolf hunting.

FWP advises that hunters by law must obtain permission to hunt private land and only tribal members may be allowed to hunt wolves on Indian Reservations. State Game Preserves, National Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges are closed to wolf hunting. Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private lands.

Hunters are required to call 1.877.FWP.WILD (1.877.397.9453) to report harvests within 12 hours and to maintain possession of the hide and skull, hunters must by law personally present the tagged wolf hide and skull to a designated FWP employee within 10 days of the harvest for inspection. Evidence of the animal's sex must remain naturally attached to the hide.
Hunters can call 1-800-385-7826 beginning September 3rd for the latest wolf-harvest status and closure information. Wolf hunting regulations are available via the FWP website at and from most FWP license providers.