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Montana news about the environment, natural resources, wildlife, climate change and more.

FWP seeks public comment on new statewide wolf management plan

Gray wolf. File photo.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (PD)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has released the first draft of a new statewide wolf management plan and is now requesting public comment.

The plan includes prevention measures for wolf-livestock depredation and changes how breeding pairs are counted. Previously, the agency’s goal was maintaining 15 breeding wolf pairs, but the new plan removes pair counts and instead aims for a population of 450 wolves, which FWP said accounts for the same number of breeding pairs.

Gov. Greg Gianforte instructed FWP to begin the process of drafting a new plan in January. The current plan has been in use since 2003.

Despite public requests in commission meetings, FWP has decided against creating a citizen advisory group to oversee and guide the creation of this new plan. Groups have historically been involved with elk and grizzly bear planning, as well as the 2003 wolf plan.

Public comment on the draft plan, and the associated environmental impact statement, is open from now until December 19. FWP said it will be announcing public meetings to answer questions on the plan before that December deadline.

Ellis Juhlin is MTPR's Environmental Reporter. She covers wildlife, natural resources, climate change and agriculture stories. She worked at Utah Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio prior to joining MTPR, and in wildlife conservation before becoming a journalist. She has a Master's Degree in Ecology from Utah State University and is an average birder who wants you to keep your cat indoors. Her life is run by her two dogs, one of which is afraid of birds.

ellis.juhlin@mso.umt.edu
406-272-2568
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