Wolf hunt ends in southern Montana

Montana's statewide wolf hunting season on Monday came to an abrupt halt in the southern portion of the state, only one day after it started. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks ordered hunting closed in Wolf Management Unit 3 a half-hour after sunset Monday. The hunting closure in WMU 3 was prompted by four wolves that were reportedly killed from that unit, which pushed the total number taken from the area to 13. A pre-established quota called for taking only 12 wolves from that area. Ron Aasheim, FWP community education administrator, said there is no need to adjust the quotas in the other wolf management units because they went over in WMU 3. However, all wolf hunting will end if the entire 75-wolf harvest level in Montana is reached. If it's not, the wolf season ends with the rest of the general big game season on Nov. 29. It can be extended through December, however, if the quota isn't reached. As of Monday afternoon, 23 of Montana's 500 wolves were reported killed by hunters. Six came from WMU 1, which has a quota of 41, and four came from WM2, which has a quota of 22. Twelve of the wolves were taken in a special backcountry hunt offered prior to the general wolf season...read more