Wolf Killed in East Fork of the Bitterroot

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A landowner in the East Fork of the Bitterroot near Sula shot and killed a wolf early Tuesday, July 1 that was threatening his cattle.   No livestock were killed or hurt in the incident.

The wolf—a gray adult male—was one of four wolves encountered in the act of chasing cattle.   The landowner shot the animal on the spot and then reported it to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.  

After an investigation by a state game warden, FWP confirmed it was a legal shooting.

FWP wolf management specialist, Liz Bradley, said the wolf was likely a member of the Trail Creek pack.  

“Because this is the first confirmed case of these wolves threatening livestock, FWP will monitor for wolf activity in the area but will take no lethal control action at this time,” Bradley said.

The Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf population was removed from the federal Endangered Species list in late March. FWP is now the lead agency for wolf conservation and management in Montana on non-tribal lands.

Under Montana law and depredation guidelines adopted by the FWP Commission, wolves can only be killed if seen actively killing or threatening to kill livestock or animals used to guard or herd livestock. Also, a wolf may be killed if it is seen killing or threatening to kill pets, or to protect human life. All incidents must be reported to FWP within 72 hours.

To learn more about Montana’s recovered wolf population, visit FWP online at    fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf , where visitors can also tell FWP when they see wolves or wolf sign.   The information helps to verify the activity, distribution, and pack size of Montana’s recovered wolf population. 

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