Montana Wolf Hunting Rules: What’s New For 2025

Earlier this summer I was following along with a story that came up on Montana Fish and Game opening up a new proposal to increase wolf hunting quotas. Under the draft plan, the statewide harvest would jump from 334 wolves to 500. Hunters and trappers could each take 15 wolves per season, up from the current 10, as long as five of those were in Region 1 or 2. Plus, you’d only need one license instead of buying a new one for every wolf.

Public comment wrapped up August 4, and the final vote was scheduled for August 21. Well, that vote happened, and here’s the update.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission finalized wolf hunting and trapping regulations after a marathon meeting packed with passionate voices from across the country. For the 2025/2026 season, the Commission approved a 452 statewide wolf quota.

That number includes a sub-quota of 60 wolves in Region 3, and separate quotas of three wolves each in Wolf Management Units 313 / 316, and a sub-quota of 60 wolves in Region 3. Hunters can now harvest up to 15 wolves by hunting and 15 wolves by trapping, though five of each must come from Regions 1 or 2. Unlike the original proposal, hunters still need to buy a license for every wolf they plan to take (up to 15), but they can purchase the 15 licenses before heading out to the field.

Other updates? Trappers can now work with FWP to leave a live wolf temporarily in a trap for radio collaring, and new rules require every harvested wolf to be presented to FWP within 10 days for tagging, sampling, and inspection.

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Archery season opens Sept. 6, trapping Dec. 1 with closures and quota caps still in place. If you want to see the official word for Montana FWP you can check it out HERE. What do you think about the new wolf quotas and harvest numbers? Let us know HERE.