By Michael Howell
A proposal to extend the wolf hunting season in the West Fork of the Bitterroot in Wolf Management Unit (WMU) 250 was shot down by the FWP Commission at its last meeting in Helena on February 16. The FWP Commission also considered and rejected an extension of the season statewide. This puts an end to the wolf hunting season across the state as of February 15.
The wolf hunt, initially scheduled to end on December 30, 2011 was extended to February 15, 2012 due to the low number of wolves killed with respect to the quotas that were set. The FWP Commission also removed the requirement for wolf hunters to wear hunter orange from December 9, 2011 through February 15, 2012.
The FWP Commission adopted a statewide quota of 220 wolves and created an additional Wolf management Unit (250) in the Bitterroot Valley with a local quota of 18. The final tally in the state came to 166 (out of a quota of 220) wolves killed with only six killed (with a quota of 18) in WMU 250.
Local hunters have been clamoring for more wolves to be removed from the West Fork due to precipitous declines in the elk population in the area. Ironically, the ongoing study of the elk population and predator interaction in the area is one reason the FWP Commission decided not to extend the wolf hunt in the area. The desire to stick with a statewide plan, rather than a piecemeal approach, was another reason cited.
Hunting District 250 in the West Fork has been the focus of a hot debate over the effect of wolves on the large ungulate population, as elk populations in the area have dropped dramatically since re-introduction of the wolves into the area. A recent study by FWP indicates however that mountain lions are taking a much larger share of the elk than wolves were. Even bears topped the wolf in the number of losses recorded.
In the meantime, the Ravalli County Commissioners are on the verge of adopting their own Large Predator Control Policy. That policy, as drafted, would urge FWP to adopt a set of rules designed to boost the number of wolves being removed. The implementation of the new rules would be triggered by decreasing elk numbers when those populations hit a minimum. It includes some recommendations for changes in the hunting regulations for mountain lions and bears as well.