Hunters and trappers must call in their wolf harvest within 24 hours. If the hide and skull are retained, they must be brought in for inspection and pelt tagging at an FWP office within 10 days.
Transfer possession of harvested game animal that requires mandatory FWP inspection: Download form
Seasons
These dates are provided only as a general reference.Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.
2024 SEASON
Archery: Sept. 2 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - March 15, 2024
Trapping: Nov. 27*-March 15, 2024
* Wolf trapping and snaring in FWP administrative regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and in Hill, Blaine, and Phillips counties won’t start until Jan. 1 and will run through Feb. 15, according to a federal court injunction. In areas in eastern Montana outside FWP administrative regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and Hill, Blaine, and Phillips counties the order does not apply, and the wolf trapping and snaring season will start November 27 and run through March 15 as described in the 2023 wolf regulations.
Licenses
A person can take up to 20 wolves with no more than 10 via hunting and no more than 10 via trapping (maximum harvest of 20 wolves per person). For hunting, a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, only a Trapping License is required.
The Conservation License allows hunters, anglers, and trappers access to all legally accessible state school trust lands. Contact a DNRC office for regulations.
Wolf Mitigation Donation
When purchasing fishing, hunting, and recreation licenses, you have the option to donate to wolf mitigation. Donations will be used by the Montana Department of Livestock to contract for wolf management with the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services for flight time, collaring and lethal control of wolves. Note, wolf mitigation is not a license, it is a donation.
Prerequisite
First-time wolf trappers must successfully complete a wolf trapping certification course in Montana or Idaho before setting a trap. Learn more.
Wolf
Details: With Resident Sportsman or Nonresident Combination license, 1st wolf license.
Fees:
Resident: $10
Nonresident: $25
Wolf
Details: Without Resident Sportsman or Nonresident Combination license, wolf licenses 2-10.
Fees:
Resident: $12
Nonresident: $50
Harvest Status & Reporting
Mandatory Harvest Reporting & Pelt Tagging
Hunters and trappers must call in their wolf harvest within 24 hours. If the hide and skull are retained, they must be brought in for inspection and pelt tagging at an FWP office within 10 days.
Transfer possession of harvested game animal that requires mandatory FWP inspection: Download form
Harvest Status & Review Information
The commission will reconvene and consider quotas if harvest gets within 25% of established quotas for Regions 1, 2, or 3.
2023 quotas:
Region 1: 131 wolves
Region 2: 104 wolves
Region 3*: 52 wolves
Region 4: 20 wolves
Region 5: 11 wolves
Region 6: 4 wolves
Region 7: 6 wolves
WMU 313**: 3 wolves
WMU 316: 3 wolves
*Wolves harvested in WMU 313 do not count toward the Region 3 quota.
**WMU 313 is closed to wolf trapping in the Deckard Flats to Trail Creek Wolf Trapping Closure Area
A non-target capture of one lynx or one grizzly bear shall initiate a commission review with potential for rapid in-season adjustments to trapping regulations. The commission shall be similarly re-engaged for any additional non-target capture of lynx or grizzly bear.
Harvest Reports
Wolf harvest status information may be obtained:
By calling 1-800-385-7826 or 406-444-1989 for statewide information
In 2013, the state Legislature passed a law that allows landowners or their agents to take up to 100 wolves a year that potentially threaten livestock, domestic dogs or human safety (MCA 87-1-901).
The quota will be examined in four 25-wolf increments. The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission must approve the next increment toward the 100-wolf quota.
Anyone who harvests a wolf must report it within 24 hours. To report the harvest of a wolf, call the Harvest Reporting line at 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) orthrough MyFWP.
If you suspect a livestock loss due to wolf predation, you can request an investigation by contacting the USDA Wildlife Services: West District (406) 459-5943 or State Office (406) 657-6464.
To report a dead wolf or possible illegal activity, contact 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668) or a local game warden.
Management & Monitoring
Gray wolves are classified as a Species in Need of Management in Montana. The state maintains sustainable hunting and trapping opportunities for wolves that follow the commitments outlined in the state's conservation and management plan.
