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harvest of wolves by hunting and trapping is one tool that may help MFWP manage wolf numbers. MFWP 

 recommendations, public input, and MFWP Commission actions will establish the conditions and regulatory 

 framework for the legal hunting and trapping of wolves in Montana. The Montana Legislature would establish the 

 license fees and penalties for violations of Montana laws or MFWP Commission rules about the possession or 

 harvest of wolves. 



SB 163 also amended Montana Statute 87-3-130, which is titled "Taking of Wildlife to Protect Persons or 

 Livestock." This amendment becomes effective only when federal protections are removed. As amended, this 

 Statute relieves a person from criminal liability for the taking of a wolf if the wolf is "attacking, killing, or 

 threatening to kill a person or livestock." In addition, "a person may kill or attempt to kill a wolf or mountain lion 

 that is in the act of attacking or killing a domestic dog." Tlie definition of livestock includes ostriches, rhcas, and 

 emus. These changes are consistent with the concepts of protecting human life and private property (livestock and 

 pets) when it is in imminent danger. Citizens must report any solves killed or injured in defense of life/property to 

 MFWP within 72 hours. 



Most importantly, SB 163 resolved an element in Montana statute that was a major impediment to establishing the 

 adequate regulatory mechanisms to guarantee the security and perpetuation of a recovered wolf population. SB 163 

 deleted the gray wolf from the list of species designated as "predatory in nature" which are to be systematically 

 controlled by MDOL (MCA 81-7-101 to 81-7-104). In other words, MDOL will not be required to exterminate 

 wolves upon delisting. Instead, MDOL will control wolves for the protection and safeguarding of livestock, as long 

 as the control action is consistent with a wolf management plan approved by both MFWP and MDOL. MDOL and 

 MFWP will cooperatively address and resolve wolf-livestock conflicts using the management strategies described in 

 this plan. 



WOLF ECOLOGY IN THE NORTHERN ROCKIES 



Physical Characteristics 



Male gray wolves in Montana weigh 90-1 10 pounds, and females weigh 80-90 pounds. Wolves in the GYA are 

 slightly heavier. Smith et al. (2000) reported that in 1999, winter-captured adult females averaged 108 pounds, 

 while female pups averaged 96 pounds. Male pups averaged 107 pounds. About half of the wolves in Montana are 

 black and the remainder gray. Both color phases may be found in a pack or in one litter of pups. White wolves, 

 usually old animals, are occasionally seen. Tracks are normally 4.5 to 5.5 inches long (Harris and Ream 1983). 



Wolves may resemble coyotes, particularly when wolves are young. Wolves may also be confused with some large 

 domestic dog breeds. Wolves are distinguished from dogs by their longer legs, larger feet, wider head and snout, 

 narrow body, and straight tail. Other distinguishing characteristics require closer examination than is possible in 

 field settings with live animals. In many instances, behavior distinguishes between wild wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, 

 and domestic dogs (Boyd et al. 2001, Duman 2001). 



Pack Size 



The gray wolf is a highly social species that lives in packs. Packs are formed when male and female wolves develop 

 a pair bond, breed and produce pups. The pack typically consists of a socially dominant breeding pair (alphas), their 

 offspring from the previous year, and new pups. Other breeding-aged adults may be present, but they may or may 

 not be related to the others. Cooperatively, the pack hunts, feeds, travels, and rests together. The pack also shares 

 pup-rearing responsibilities, including hunting and tending pups at the den or at a series of rendezvous sites. Pack 

 size is highly variable (USFWS et al. 2001 ). In northwest Montana, it ranges from 2 to 11, and averages 5-7. In the 

 GYA, pack size ranges from 5 to 27 and averages 9.3. Average pack size is larger inside YNP (14.6 individuals) 

 than outside (5.8 individuals) (Smith et al. 2000). 



Reproduction 



Wolves normally do not breed until at least 22 months of age (Mech 1970). Breeding usually occurs only between 

 the dominant male and female in a pack. In the northern Rockies, the breeding season peaks in mid- to late February 



