The wolf population has remained relatively stable in the past few years with only slight declines in the statewide population estimates, according to the 2024 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks annual wolf report.
When looked at by FWP administrative region, wolf numbers are seeing a more definitive decline in Region 3, where wolf population estimates have gradually declined from 215 in 2020, to 173 in 2024. In western and northwest Montana, regions 2 and 1 respectively, populations are estimated to be nearly the same as last year.
“We are committed to following the law to reduce wolf numbers to a sustainable level, which means ensuring Montana has a healthy state managed population,” said Quentin Kujala, FWP Chief of Conservation Policy. “We continue to see declines in the estimated number of wolves and wolf packs in Region 3, which suggests the current combination of hunting, trapping, and conflict management removals can effectively reduce wolf numbers in some areas at least.”
The estimated statewide wolf population for 2024 was 1,091, which is 12 fewer than the 2023 estimated population of 1,103 and still well above recovery thresholds. The number of wolf packs was 181, spread over 66,000 square kilometers. Total wolf harvest for the 2024-2025 wolf season was 297 wolves, the highest since 326 were harvested during the 2020 license year. During the 2023-2024 season, 286 wolves were taken.
USDA Wildlife Services confirmed the loss of 35 cattle, 16 sheep, three foals, and eight livestock guard dogs. This total was lower than the average number of livestock conflicts since delisting in 2011, except for the loss of guard dogs, which increased in 2024.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing changes to wolf trapping and hunting regulations aimed at bringing down the number of wolves across the state, as required by law.
FWP’s proposal will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission at their Aug. 21 meeting. It is open for public comment through Aug. 4.
“We’ve tried different regulations over the past two years in an effort to increase harvest and realize a decline in wolf numbers, but those changes have only had success in certain areas of the state, most notably southwest Montana,” said Kujala. “The changes we’re proposing this year are targeted at trying to increase harvest in west and northwest Montana.”
FWP is proposing the following regulations:
- Hunters and trappers can harvest 15 wolves on a single hunting and trapping license (30 wolves total), provided that at least five of those wolves are harvested via hunting and at least five of those wolves are harvested via trapping in FWP regions 1 or 2.
- Trapping within the geographic area identified by a federal court will be limited to Jan. 1 to Feb. 15. The geographic area is all FWP regions 1, 2 and 3, and portions of regions 4 and 5. This area, with limited trapping dates, is the same as last year, according to the FWP proposal.
- Outside this geographic area, wolf trapping will open Dec. 1 and go through March 15, 2026.
- A statewide quota of 500.
- The statewide quota includes a quota of three wolves in Wolf Management Unit (WMU) 313 and a quota of three wolves in WMU 316.
- On private lands wolf hunting will be allowed outside of daylight hours and hunters can use artificial light, night vision, infrared, and thermal imaging scopes.
- Hunting outside of daylight hours on public lands is prohibited.
To see a video explaining the proposal, look at FWP’s YouTube page.
The annual wolf report can be found on FWP’s website on the wolf management page.
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MT FWP
