HELENA, Mont. — Montana wildlife officials are recommending a cut to the wolf harvest quota after data points to a steady population decline since 2021.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) released its annual Wolf Report along with proposed changes to wolf and furbearer trapping rules.
FWP reported wolf numbers remain above the minimums in the Montana Wolf Management Plan, but the agency said the population had been declining.
The report used two population models as FWP moved toward an updated estimation tool called iPOM 2.0. Under the original iPOM model, FWP estimated 1,094 wolves. Under iPOM 2.0, the estimate was 725 wolves, FWP said.
FWP said the newer model used Montana-specific research gathered over the past several years, including data on pack size and distribution. The agency said that work gave a more accurate estimate.
“We’re confident in iPOM 2.0 and see it as an advancement in science and modeling,” Kujala said in a release. “However it hasn’t been through the same peer-review process as the original iPOM. Until that happens we want the Commission and the public to see estimates from both models.”
FWP said running the new model in past years showed a steady decline starting in 2021. Because of that, the agency recommended cutting the 2026/2027 wolf harvest quota to 250 from 450 last year.
FWP reported 247 wolves were harvested last year. The agency also said the state management plan listed 450 wolves as the minimum needed to maintain 15 breeding pairs, but not as a management target.
Public comment on the proposal is open through Aug. 12. The Fish and Wildlife Commission is set to consider the proposal at its regular meeting at 8:00 a.m. Aug. 19.
People could comment before the meeting or during it in person or on Zoom, FWP explained. The public can attend at the Montana Heritage Center or an FWP regional office, and virtual attendees had to register online between Aug. 4 and 12:00 p.m. Aug. 18.
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