Wolf licenses go on sale Monday

Hunters can buy licenses to hunt wolves in Montana starting on Monday.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offers the licenses through its website, www.fwp.mt.gov, or from any agency regional office or license vendor.

Wolf hunting licenses cost $19 for residents or $350 for nonresidents. Hunters also must have purchased a 2011 conservation license.

Licenses will be valid within the state’s 14 specific wolf management units. The 14 districts have varying quotas, based on wolf numbers and other factors, such as the presence of livestock and wolf impacts on big game populations.

The total harvest allowed under Montana’s wolf management plan is 220 wolves.

Hunters will be allowed to hunt wolves starting Sept. 3 with the opening of the early season backcountry archery hunt.

Hunters who take wolves must report the kill within 12 hours by calling 1-877-397-9453. To keep the hide and skull, a hunter must personally present the tagged hide and skull to a designated Fish, Wildlife and Parks employee within 10 days of the harvest. Evidence of the animal’s sex must remain naturally attached to the hide.

Under the state wolf management plan, the wildlife agency will close a wolf-management unit season with 24 hours notice and it is up to hunters to check state closure notices before heading afield each day.

A wolf hunt hotline will begin operating on Sept. 3. The number is 1-800-385-7826.

Montana reinstated its wolf hunt following Congressional action in April that removed wolves in Montana and Idaho from protection of the Endangered Species Act.

 Montana last had a wolf hunt in 2009 when 72 wolves were taken. A proposed hunt in 2010 was stopped by legal action.

For more information on Montana’s wolf hunt, go to www.fwp.mt.gov and click on “Montana Wolf Hunt.”