FWP commissioners adopt wolf-kill regulations

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new regulations on March 13 to implement a law allowing landowners to shoot a threatening wolf on sight without possessing a hunting license.

The commissioners determined that wolves pose a “potential threat” when they threaten people, pets or livestock on private property. Landowners will be required to report any wolf kill to FWP within 72 hours.

The new regulations implement Senate Bill 200, which the Montana Legislature passed last year. The bill allows landowners to kill wolves that threaten their property without having to buy a hunting license or wolf permit.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks was directed to develop rules that would define situations in which landowners could legally kill wolves and they would report that act.