The 2011-2012 wolf hunt has officially ended in Montana!

The proposed extension in the Westfork area 250 of the Bitterroot was voted down by the Commissioners today in Helena by a unanimous  vote of 5-0.  Commissioner Dan Vermillion did make a motion to extend the hunt until March 15th, but that proposal received no support, and was ultimately denied.

National Wolfwatcher Coalition members Marc Cooke and Kim Bean, along with many supporters, were there at the hearing.  Marc talked to each Commissioner and thanked them for doing the right thing.  A report from Marc and Kim will be added to this post later today for further details.  The Hearing on the wolf issue lasted but ten minutes.

This responsible action by MT Board of Commissioners should serve as a model for the wolf management plans in Idaho and Wyoming.  We strongly maintain that all wildlife management plans are based on best science, and not worst politics.  Today, Science won!

As a result the wolf hunt has officially ended in Montana, with 75% of their quota filled.

Update from Co-President Marc Cooke

COMMISSIONERS VOTE AGAINST EXTENSION MAN UNIT 250

Wolf season closed as now.

Commissioners Colton comments: I should have voted against this at the last meeting. I have a big problem singleling out a predator. We need to get together with community  decision makers to discuss this. I don’t want to use any additional resources now.

Chairman Ream: this was a split vote last time. I voted against then and will do so again today.

Commissioner Moody: my position on this remains the same on this particular issue. This hunting district is the poster child for how we adapt to the presence of large carnivores in our wildlife population. We need to stop and think. We defy this topic of discussion as a predator problem, when it is really an opportunity. I watched web site and see American paying $30’000 to hunt abroad.

Commission Vermillon: I echo comm. Colton and all of your comments. We harvested 166 out of 220 wolves. Right or wrong, mostly wrong, wolves have gotten a huge portion of the blame for a precede to be u gullets deficit. When wolves were reintroduced there were 82’000 or less then 100’000 elks. Now elk population is more than that. It is tricky to,….when we say wolves are wiping out elks in Montana , but the elks population has increased . I do recognize in certain district ungulates has taken a hit, however the bitterroot study is showing clearly mountains lions , bears and people are involved. In 2004/6/8 there was a big push on this department to ramp up elks and ungulates harvest I. Certain district. We would be naive to think this did. Ot have an impact on our population. As a department we try to do this in region 3 with this round of season setting. We need to turn that bus around before we get into a situation like southern gallatin and 250. I thing that the hysteria associated with wolves has grown dramatically. I think it is unfortunate, I am so supportive of this wolves hunt when the state gain control.
We manage and design hunts that address the concern of people of Montana but also respect wolves as a valuable piece of wildlife in the landscape. That is very important and they have a role to play, just like mountain lions and elks . I am conflicted as commissioner Colton would say, politically would be very expedient . If you look at the facts an I crease from the last meeting from 4 to 6 wolves killed, despite that huge storm that was raging when we were here last. Harvest has not change. As managers how we move forward needs to have public tolerance. I vote against the extension .

Sub motion to extend the hunt to the 15 of march to remove the specter of the denning process everyone was so concerned about.

Commissioner Colton: hunting district / WMU 250 is the only area that is below objective. We will work to continue to turn this around. We have killed many wolves, 249 have been killed including wildlife services we need to close the season and focus our efforts on what our hunts is going to look in the future.

Commissioner Stafne: I voted for this last time, one day I am for it the next day I am not. One issue that has the most impact on me is the number of elk calves that were taken by wolves compare to lions. I don’t usually explain my vote, my vote explain my position. I vote no.

See the list of Commissioners below, and thank them for making the right decision by not extending  hunting into wolf breeding and denning season.

Dan Vermillion,

PO Box 668

Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-0624

fwpcomm@mt.gov (put “For Dan Vermillion” in the subject bar)

A.T. Stafne, Commissioner

8079 US Highway 

Wolf Point, MT 59201

(406) 653-2881

fwpcomm@mt.gov (put “For A.T. Stafne” in the subject bar)

Shane Colton, Commissioner

335 Clark

Billings, MT 59101

(406) 259-9986

fwpcomm@mt.gov (put “For Shane Colton” in the subject bar)

Bob Ream

521 Clarke Street

Helena, MT 59601

(406) 461-3202

bobream@mt.net

Ron Moody

109 Bach Avenue

Lewistown, MT 59457

(406) 538-2698

couleeking@hotmail.com

National Wolfwatcher Coalition         

Understand, Love, Protect