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Lawmakers Debate Expanding Wolf Hunting to Cut Montana’s Wolf Population in Half

Montana legislators are pushing forward with plans to drastically reduce the state’s wolf population, with proposals to cut the number of gray wolves in half. These debates have sparked heated discussion around the ethics and practicality of hunter-led wildlife management.

On January 22, 2025, members of the House Fish, Wildlife, and Parks committee spent over five hours discussing a controversial set of bills aimed at curbing Montana’s growing wolf population. The state, home to approximately 1,100 resident wolves, is now facing mounting pressure to reduce that number significantly.

Two freshman lawmakers, Rep. Shannon Maness and Rep. Laurie Johnson, are spearheading the push, introducing bills that would bring the wolf population down to about 450, a number deemed sustainable by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP). This proposal has ignited fierce debate, with supporters advocating for stricter hunting rules to manage the population while critics argue that it’s a severe overreach of legislative power.

While the bills draw from the state’s long-standing commitment to sustainable wildlife management, they raise critical questions about the ethical implications of expanding hunting quotas. With the wolf population remaining well above sustainable levels, proponents of the bills are pushing for swift action, but opponents say it risks the future of the species.

Montana’s Growing Wolf Population: A Concern for Wildlife Managers

Montana’s gray wolf population has seen steady growth in recent years, now estimated at around 1,100 animals. This number has raised concerns among wildlife officials who argue that, without intervention, the population could surpass the point of sustainability.

gray wolf montana wildlife

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, a population of around 450 wolves is considered a sustainable target. This figure ensures the species can thrive without being at risk of extinction or being relisted under the federal Endangered Species Act. Montana’s current wolf population remains well above that threshold, prompting legislative intervention.

The bills discussed in the committee aim to address these concerns by increasing hunting quotas and allowing for more lenient hunting practices. Proponents argue that by reducing the wolf population to this target level, the balance of Montana’s ecosystems could be better maintained, particularly regarding the management of prey species like deer and elk.

However, not everyone agrees with this approach. Critics argue that the proposed measures would lead to the senseless slaughter of wolves and could destabilize local ecosystems by removing apex predators that play a crucial role in controlling other animal populations.

The Push for Unlimited Hunting: A Step Too Far?

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposed legislation is the provision for unlimited hunting quotas. Under House Bill 176, introduced by Rep. Shannon Maness, hunters would be allowed to harvest as many wolves as they wish as long as the state population exceeds the target number of 450 wolves.

This unrestricted hunting quota would be a drastic shift from current regulations, which are much more tightly controlled. Supporters of the bill, including several conservation groups, argue that the current management approach has not done enough to reduce the wolf population. They contend that allowing hunters to take more wolves will help maintain the health of Montana’s ecosystems and reduce conflict between wolves and livestock.

However, opponents fear that an unlimited hunting quota could lead to overhunting and the depletion of the wolf population, ultimately harming the state’s biodiversity. Some worry that the law could encourage trophy hunting or target younger, more vulnerable animals.

House Bill 101: A Shift in How Wolves Are Managed

In addition to the two population-reducing bills, House Bill 101 proposes a significant reclassification of wolves for management purposes. This bill, requested by Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, would designate wolves as “furbearers,” a classification that would make them subject to less stringent regulations.

The reclassification of wolves to furbearers would open the door for more liberal hunting practices, including trapping, and could lead to an increase in wolf mortality rates across the state. This move has sparked alarm among conservation groups, who argue that it could make it easier to kill wolves for their fur, further threatening their already fragile population.

Supporters, however, believe that this reclassification could streamline management practices and help control the growing wolf numbers without resorting to drastic measures like the unlimited hunting quotas outlined in House Bill 176.

The Wider Debate: Ethical Concerns and Future Implications

As the bills continue to gain attention, the ethical debate over wolf hunting has become even more pronounced. Wildlife advocates worry that the state’s focus on population control could lead to an unnecessary and harmful decline in the wolf population. Wolves play a critical role in maintaining balance in Montana’s ecosystems, from controlling herbivore numbers to fostering healthy forests.

On the other hand, ranchers and hunters argue that wolves have become too abundant, causing significant losses in livestock and threatening livelihoods. In this light, more aggressive measures seem necessary to address the perceived threat that wolves pose to both rural communities and local wildlife populations.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks’ 2024 report on the state’s wolf population highlights a steady population range between 993 and 1,210 wolves. With no signs of this number dropping significantly in the near future, Montana’s lawmakers are poised to make some difficult decisions about the future of the species in the state.

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