The Fielder Guide, How Montana Could Better Manage Wolves

I don't know about you, but I thought it was great to see that a couple of Montana lawmakers filed suit to reduce the number of wolves in the state.

Here's the story from the Montana Television Network: Montana lawmakers sue over wolf hunting regulations

MTN reports on the lawsuit filed by State Reps. Paul Fielder (R-Thompson Falls) and Shannon Maness (R-Dillon) among other plaintiffs. "They’re joined by a Townsend outfitter and by the pro-hunting sportsmen’s group Outdoor Heritage Coalition…Plaintiffs argued the newest regulations won’t significantly impact wolf numbers. They say that’s violating the 2021 state law."

I got the chance to catch up with both Rep. Maness and Fielder here in recent days. (Full audio is below) In addition to talking about the lawsuit, and why he believes the state is in violation of state law when it comes to managing wolves, Fielder ( a wildlife biologist) laid out a series of tools and techniques Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks could be using.

Rep. Fielder: "I would have extended the wolf hunting season in the spring through the end of the spring bear season, because people are out there hunting bears in the spring anyway...Wyoming and Idaho have year round hunting, wolf hunting seasons, but Montana can't...We've got night hunting. You can use night vision scopes on private land right now to hunt wolves at night. That could be extended to public lands."

He also criticized a law on the books right now that says you can't set traps within 150 feet of an open road, which matters because wolves basically travel roads. He also cited concerns with the Endangered Species Act and the fact that the grizzly bear is still listed- which also is used an excuse to get in the way of better managing wolves.

Rep. Fielder: "Let's delist the species. It's not called the distinct population segment act. It's called the Endangered Species Act...Before trapping season was allowed for wolves, the US Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, which controls wildlife problems was taking over 100 wolves a year to control problems. USDA was contracted by the the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They're not using them anymore to do that, I don't think. They could expand that use."