Senate Fish and Game committee advances three wolf-related measures to the floor

The Montana Senate Fish and Game Committee on 2025-02-01 in Helena voted to advance three wolf-related measures — House Bill 176, House Bill 219 and House Bill 258 — to the full Senate floor, with each measure passing committee by an 8–4 margin.

The measures moved forward would (1) pass the proposal identified as House Bill 176 (details not specified in the committee record), (2) amend criminal provisions in Title 87 to allow reimbursements for costs incurred related to hunting or trapping wolves and (3) require that a wolf hunting season end in concurrence with the spring bear season while allowing the Fish and Wildlife Commission to adjust dates for specific wolf management units. Committee roll calls show each bill passed the committee 8 to 4.

The bills prompted debate about depredation, recreation and the potential for renewed public conflict around wolves. A committee member who identified himself as being from eastern Montana said he supported control measures because he did…