As has been noted here wolves are a hot button conservation issue. Wolf defenders and wolf hunters square off regularly in courtrooms and legislative halls.
As the state’s hunting season opens Montana conservationists and hunting interests are squaring off over changes in Montana hunting laws.
According to the Daily Montanan a central issue is a decision to permit the killing of 558 wolves in this hunting season. The dispute is whether that is too high a number. Conservationists believe the population estimates over state the number of Montana wolves.
According to the newspaper the court battle is long standing.
“The conservation groups, WildEarth Guardians, the Earth and Land Institute, Footloose Montana, and the Gallatin Wildlife Association are asking First Judicial District Court Judge Christopher Abbott for a preliminary injunction to stop the 2025-2026 wolf hunting regulations from going into effect.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, which sets policy and regulations for the department, are the defendants in the suit, which is attached to a legal battle stretching back to 2022 over state wolf laws. The Outdoor Heritage Coalition and Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife are intervenors due to a similar lawsuit they brought against the state, but arguing wolf hunting regulations are too lenient.”
Wolves are an apex predator and there is little question they kill livestock. Defenders say the numbers of livestock killed are not particularly great. Opponents say , in effect “That is easy for you to say” and point to costs in time and effort to protect stock and navigate state rules for remediation. Of course there are hunters who want a trophy. France estimates its wolf population at 580. They estimate depredations at 12000, which is quite possibly low, wolves often leave little behind. At 21 kills per capita potential losses are significant.
Wolves (Canis lupus) were once abundant in the contiguous United States. They were also abundant in much of Eurasia. Centuries of persecution eliminated them in the United States with a few exceptions including Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In the late 20th Century attitudes started to change. Wolves were introduced into Yellowstone National Park. Others came down from Canada. Intense court battles have resulted from the reintroduction efforts. Wolves are now found in an increasing number of states. Some wolf defenders want to increase their range further. Colorado recently introduced wolves into the state. Authorities track them closely as the reintroduction was hotly contested.