ORAI'T EIS rVPPKNOIX 1 



disturb the carcass. After securing the scene, livestock producers should then report the incident to MFWP soon as 

 possible, but within 72 hours. Upon investigation, the entire carcass must be returned to MFWP. Montana statutes 

 assign MFWP the authority and responsibilities related to the protection of life and property in the face of imminent 

 danger or harm from wildlife. 



15 Wolf Packs or Greater - Landowners or their agents may non-lethally harass a wolf or wolves without a permit 

 if wolves are disrupting livestock on public or private land. The intent is to discourage wolf activity in close 

 proximity to livestock, before a depredation actually takes place and inore intensive management actions become 

 necessary. If non-lethal harassnienl does not discourage wolves from chasing, testing, or otherwise disrupting 

 livestock, the producer may contact MFWP to receive a special kill permit, valid for public and private lands, in 

 accordance with other terms mutually agreed to by both parties. Concurrence by the administering land 

 management agency may be required prior to lethal control activities. MFWP will be more liberal in the number of 

 special kill permits granted as wolt numbers increase and for depredations in mixed land ownership patterns. 



If a livestock producer kills a wolf under a special kill permit, he/she should not move or otherwi.se disturb the 

 carcass. After securing the scene, producers should then report the incident to MFWP as soon as possible, but 

 within 72 hours. Upon investigation, the entire carcass must be returned to MFWP. Livestock producers will be 

 held accountable for wolves in the same manner as for other legally classified animals killed under permit. 



If a depredation does occur on public or private lands, the producer should secure the scene and report the incident 

 to WS, as they presently do for other predator-related livestock losses. Upon a field investigation, WS may consult 

 with MFWP or initiate non-lethal or lethal control, as appropriate and according to a MOU between MFWP, 

 MDOL, and WS. 



In lieu of a federal or state response, a designated trapper or a licensed sportsperson may be authorized to lethally 

 remove problem wolves on public or private lands when the number of packs is 15 or greater. Taking of problem 

 wolves by the public would be subject to licensing requirements and other regulations approved by the MFWP 

 Commission that govern the regulated hunting or trapping of wolves. A licensed landowner, livestock producer, or 

 their agent may also kill a wolf, without a special kill permit, by adhering to the regulations for public harvest 

 approved by the MFWP Commission. 



Upon delisting, provisions of SB 163 take effect. Producers (or their agents) will be able to kill a wolf (without a 

 special kill permit) if the wolf is "attacking, killing, or threatening to kill" livestock, regardless of whether the 

 incident takes place on public or private lands. This is consistent with the intent of allowing private citizens to take 

 wildlife to protect persons or livestock (Montana Statute 87-3-130). If a livestock producer kills a wolf under the 

 defense of property provisions of SB 1 63, he/she should not move or otherwise disturb the carcass. After .securing 

 the scene, livestock producers should then report the incident to MFWP as soon as possible, but within 72 hours. 

 Upon investigation, the entire carcass must be turned in. Montana statutes assign MFWP the authority and 

 responsibilities related to the protection of life and property in the face of imminent danger or harm from wildlife. 



Recreationists, Hunters. Outfitters etc. 



Citizens in backcountry areas should rely on non-lethal harassment unless wolves directly threaten a person, pet. or 

 livestock. If a wolf is killed in defense of life or property, citizens should protect the scene from disturbance and 

 report it to MFWP as soon as possible, but within 72 hours. MFWP or WS will conduct a field investigation. If an 

 incident takes place in mixed land ownerships, recreationists should also rely on non-lethal techniques. The incident 

 should be reported to MFWP. If a wolf is killed in defense of life or property, citizens should not disturb the 

 carcass, but protect the scene and report the incident to MFWP as soon as possible, but within 72 hours. Anytime a 

 wolf is killed in defense of life or property, the entire carcass must be returned to MFWP. 



Compensation 



Montana recognizes that wolf population recovery and persistence will result in the loss of personal property or 

 income due to wolf activity and depredation. Some producers are exposed to potential financial liabilities that did 

 not exist prior to wolves. Many livestock producers operate on a narrow financial margin and even a single 

 depredation event could have significant economic consequences. There are additional costs associated with 



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