Wolf hunt is part of the package

It's not surprising to learn that wolves have been steadily expanding into new areas of Northwest Montana over the last couple years.

They are, after all, not being managed in any fashion, except in some cases when they kill livestock and get a dose of "lethal control" from the government in return. The upward population can be expected to continue, judging from growing populations in the Central Idaho and Greater Yellowstone recovery areas, not to mention the remarkable population growth in Minnesota.

That's why it's appropriate that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is doing advance planning for a wolf hunting and trapping season. Proposed regulations, in fact, are expected to be considered by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission in December, followed by public input, possible adjustments and final consideration.

When it's all said and done, no one should be surprised. A hunt has been part of the state's wolf management plan that was prepared as a milestone on the road to removing wolves from protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Montana public, which had considerable influence in developing the plan, bought into the state assuming management of wolves from the federal government with a clear understanding that a hunt would be part of the package.

And now that time is at hand. State officials say some wolf advocacy groups have expressed concern that it's premature to begin planning a hunt, considering that wolves have yet to be delisted.

We don't see it that way. Planning for a hunt should presumably be thorough and thoughtful, using the best possible information. The state is, essentially, starting from scratch in determining how to manage a new big game species, which involves maintaining enough numbers to keep wolves from becoming a threatened species in the future.

The state's prudent planning will likely put Montana in position to have a hunt as early as next fall.

But of course, it can't be that simple. While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to pursue delisting next year, in tandem with Montana's efforts, it's nearly certain that the federal agency will be challenged in court.

That could hold up a hunt that should be considered inevitable. Wolves are considered a national resource, with their restoration advanced by the federal government, but no one should forget that their impacts on wildlife and livestock are being shouldered by Montana citizens.

Montana has a right to manage wolves, and enlisting hunters to assist follows a long tradition of state-sanctioned management of other predators, such as bears and mountain lions. Don't let the howling (human, not animal) convince you otherwise.