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Senate Fish and Game hears wide opposition and support for HB 176 to allow statewide wolf quota
Summary
A packed Senate Fish and Game hearing on House Bill 176 drew competing testimony: ranchers and sportsmen urged a statewide quota to reduce wolf numbers for livestock and elk recovery, while tribes, conservation groups, scientists and tourism businesses warned the measure relies on uncertain counts, risks Yellowstone-area packs and could harm tourism and tribal rights. The committee held a hearing and took no vote.
Representative Shannon Maness opened the Senate Fish and Game hearing on House Bill 176, telling the committee the bill would allow Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to adopt a statewide wolf quota — rather than region-by-region quotas — until the state’s wolf estimate reaches 550 animals and to aim for a management level of 450 thereafter. "This bill is allowing FWP to institute a statewide wolf quota instead of our regional ones," Maness said in her presentation, framing the proposal as a tool to reduce livestock depredation and local elk declines.
The hearing drew intense, divided testimony across roughly 40 in-person and online speakers. Proponents — including sportsmen’s groups, trappers and ranchers — said regional quotas have failed to address local problems. Jeff Darrrah of Stevensville said the commission and department "have worked with the commission and tried ... to get some of these wolf numbers down. It's been very difficult at best to get that done," and asked the committee to pass the bill to add an option for FWP. Rancher…
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