At least 625 wolves inhabited Montana at the end of 2012 according to state wildlife managers preparing the federally required annual wolf conservation and management report.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ complete report, which is expected to be available online at fwp.mt.gov by April 12, will show that Montana’s verified minimum wolf count decreased more than four percent in 2012, compared to a 15 percent increase in 2011 and an eight percent increase in 2010. The minimum wolf count is the number of wolves actually verified by FWP wolf specialists.
The minimum numbers verified by FWP at the end of 2012 include 625 wolves, in 147 packs, and 37 breeding pairs. While it’s the first time since 2004 that the minimum count has decreased, Montana’s minimum wolf pack and breeding pairs estimates increased slightly from 2011. The 2012 calculation, however, doesn’t include the 95 wolves taken by hunters and trappers between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 of this year.
“We’re making some progress,” said FWP Director Jeff Hagener. “Confirmed livestock loss has been on a general downward trend since 2009, and we have more tools now for affecting wolf populations. In some areas, where hunting, trapping and livestock-depredation removals have been effective, it looks like the wolf population’s growth has been curbed this year. In other areas the population may be leveling off, but we have more work to do. There are still places where we need to manage for a better balance among other Montana wildlife and with Montana’s livestock producers and their families.”
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