HELENA – Wolf numbers in Montana continue to be well above minimums outlined in the Montana Wolf Management Plan, and they are seeing a decline.  

As part of the package released for public comment Friday, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released its annual Wolf Report, along with proposed changes to the Wolf and Furbearer Trapping Regulations. These will be in front of the Fish and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 19 during their regular meeting.  

This year’s Wolf Report contains two population estimates as FWP is moving toward an updated version of the wolf population estimation tool Integrated Patch Occupancy Model (iPOM). The new version, iPOM 2.0, is yet to be published in a peer reviewed scientific journal, like iPOM.  

Under iPOM, the wolf population is estimated to be relatively stable at 1,094 wolves. With iPOM 2.0, the population estimate is lower at 725 wolves.  

In developing iPOM 2.0, Montana researchers were able to incorporate much of the wolf data and research they have collected over the past several years. This Montana-specific data, particularly on pack sizes and distribution, provides a more accurate estimate, said Quentin Kujala, FWP Chief of Conservation Policy.  

“We’re confident in iPOM 2.0 and see it as an advancement in science and modeling,” Kujala said. “However, it hasn’t been through the same peer-review process as the original iPOM. Until that happens, we want the Commission and the public to see estimates from both models.” 

By using iPOM 2.0 to analyze wolf population estimates from past years, it shows a steady decline in wolf numbers from 2021. As a result, FWP is recommending a reduction to the 2026/2027 wolf harvest quota to 250. This is down from a quota of 450 last year. Last year 247 wolves were harvested.  

The Montana Wolf Management Plan outlines 450 wolves as the minimum number necessary to ensure there are 15 breeding pairs in the state. These are minimum numbers and not a management objective for FWP.   

At the Aug. 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, the commission will consider the wolf and furbearer trapping regulation proposal from FWP. Included in that proposal is the annual wolf harvest quota. The public can comment on the proposal through Aug. 12.  

Commissioners can propose amendments to FWP’s proposals and those amendments will be available for public comment if possible. Commissioners can also propose amendments or other proposals at the commission meeting.  

The public can comment on commission items in advance, as well as during the meeting by attending in person or virtual via Zoom. The public can attend in person at the Montana Heritage Center or at one of FWP regional offices. The meeting will start 8 a.m. Aug. 19. If you want to attend virtually, you must register online between Aug. 4 and 12 p.m. Aug. 18.