Wolf hunt an orderly success

It was historic, to say the least, that Montana just completed the first regulated wolf hunt in the lower 48 states this week.

Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks deserves kudos for managing the hunt to a tee, closely monitoring it with a reporting system that ensured that the statewide quota of 75 wolves would not be exceeded.

To be sure, many believe more wolves could have been harvested. But there were specific reasons for the conservative quota, amounting to about 15 percent of the state’s estimated population of 500 wolves. Even with the hunt, Montana’s wolf population is expected to grow next year.

“We have to be prudent in our management, I think we have to be careful,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Bob Ream, a former University of Montana biology professor who led the effort that detected the first wolves to recolonize in Montana from Canada just 25 years ago.

Even though Montana and Idaho wolves were removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act early this year, the two states must show the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that they can maintain sustainable wolf populations.

“This was the first year in a five-year period we have to prove ourselves, and I think we have to prove ourselves well,” Ream said.

Not to mention demonstrating the viability of the hunt in court. The delisting decision has been challenged by a coalition of environmental groups, and the state of Montana is rightly defending its authority to manage wolves. The regulated hunt is a big part of that program.

An underlying principle in the case is that nearly a decade ago Montana  engaged in developing a sound management plan for wolves, a process that involved significant public input, collaboration and good faith. We — the state and the public — weren’t kidding around.

Montanans do not want to stand helplessly by, having no role in wolf management and conservation. Livestock producers deserve the ability to protect their property.

And hunters obviously want a hand in management — more than 11,000 wolf permits were purchased this year at $19 for in-state residents and $290 for non-residents.

Finally, for those who are critical of the wolf hunt, it’s important to realize that proceeds from all game-license sales go toward the conservation and management of wildlife, including wolves, across the great state of Montana.