Trap Free Montana

Wolf trapping season has been shortened in most of western Montana. But for some regions, the area where traps can be set has grown. The changes were made in response to a court decision that found wolf trapping threatens grizzly bears.

A judge has ruled in favor of wildlife advocacy groups in a legal battle over the lethal removal of grizzly bears. The judge found the federal agency failed to adequately assess how its actions harm grizzly recovery.

Advocacy groups are asking a judge to order the federal government to draft a new assessment of the impact of relocating or killing grizzlies.

Two wildlife advocacy groups have formally notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of their intent to sue over recent changes made to Montana’s wolf trapping laws.

Three conservation advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Missoula challenging the federal government's policies for killing and moving grizzly bears.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 3-2 to increase wolf harvest by allowing neck snaring and trap baiting statewide, night hunting on private land and other changes to the season. The new rules permit “aggressive” hunting measures not seen in Montana for decades.