Wolf hunting and trapping around Yellowstone now closed

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks announced Thursday that wolf hunting and trapping in Region 3, which is north of Yellowstone National Park, has closed.

Eighty-two wolves have been taken, meeting the threshold for the season’s closure in the region set by the FWP Commission. Region 3 also includes the Southwest corner of the state and extends to north of Helena.

The hunt this year brought plenty of controversy as 21 of the 82 wolves that were taken were in wolf management units just outside of Yellowstone. In the past, those units had quotas of three wolves total.

At least one pack that resided primarily in the Yellowstone area was all but wiped out, Park officials said.

Park superintendent Cam Sholly asked Gov. Greg Gianforte to close the season several weeks ago, when it was apparent that wolves from the park were being killed, but Gianforte declined. Closer to home in Region one, 73 wolves have been taken. The threshold for a possible season closure here is 195 wolves.

FWP has also adjusted the number of wolves taken in wolf management unit 110, where it initially reported three wolves taken. That number has since been lowered to one, as the other wolves were taken outside of 110.

Wolf Management Unit 110 is up the North Fork and covers the western boundary of Glacier National Park.