2021 Wolf Montana Fwp Hunting and Trapping Regulations
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2021 WOLF MONTANA FWP HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS Gray Wolf Canis lupus photo by Donald M. Jones TURN IN POACHERS: CALL 1-800-TIP-MONT fwp.mt.gov Highlights & Reminders License Chart • Persons can take up to 10 wolves via any combination of hunting The following licenses, for the purpose of wolf hunting, are valid and trapping (maximum harvest of 10 wolves per person). For March 1, 2021, through the dates listed in these regulations. hunting a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, LICENSE REQUIREMENTS COST only a Trapping License is required. Annual fee charged at the time the $10 Resident • Two swivels, including a center swivel on the base of the trap, Base Hunting License hunter purchases their first hunting will be required for all ground set foothold traps. For details, $15 Nonresident visit: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/trapping license. • Collared wolves can be lawfully taken, but they provide important $4 Resident information for monitoring populations and managing livestock Required prerequisite at the time 12-17, 62+ depredations. Conservation License the hunter purchases their first $8 Resident hunting or fishing license. • A wolf harvest must be reported within 24 hours. Nonresident Hunting $10 Must be purchased by Feb. 28, • Electronic calls can be used for wolf hunting. Wolf License $12 Resident 2022. A wolf-hunting license • Baiting is now legal for the hunting of wolves. without a purchased after August 31 may • Wolves can be hunted on private lands outside of daylight hours Sportsmans or with the use of artificial lights, thermal imaging technology, or not be used until 24 hours after $50 Combination night vision scopes. Night hunting on public lands is prohibited. the license is issued. Maximum of Nonresident Trapping License 10 per person. • Snares are now legal for trapping wolves, except in federally Only valid for the first wolf license $10 Resident designated grizzly bear recovery zones. Additional snare Wolf License with purchased after purchasing regulations are listed on page 6. a Sportsmans a sportsman or combination or Combination • The trapping season in grizzly bear recovery zones starts on license. Must select “discounted” $25 Nonresident December 15, but could be adjusted to as early as November 29 License wolf license. based on conditions. Check FWP website for any adjustments. • WMU 313 is closed to wolf trapping in the Deckard Flats to Trail Available to resident Conservation Creek Wolf Trapping Closure Area. License holders 12 years of age • Wolf trap pan tension must be at least 10 pounds in Regions General or older. Allows license holder 1,2,3,4, and 5. Trapping License to trap wolves. Completion of $20 • Trappers must immediately dispatch a trapped wolf by gunshot Resident either the Idaho or Montana – unless otherwise authorized not to do so by FWP prior to wolf-trapping certification class wolf-trapping efforts. is mandatory. Applicant must give legal Regulations Adopted by Fish & Wildlife Commission description of owned or leased Regulations for season dates, structures, and restrictions were land, name, address, and resident adopted by the F&W Commission on August 20, 2021, under the ALS number. License holder authority granted in MCA 87-1-301 and are valid from the date of Landowner restricted to trapping and hunting adoption, through March 15, 2022. The F&W Commission reserves Trapping License only on their owned property $1 the authority to amend the seasons, limits and regulations herein Resident and leased lands. Completion if deemed necessary for wildlife management purposes. Statutes of either the Idaho or Montana and other information, including other agencies’ restrictions, are wolf trapping certification class is provided as a courtesy and do not fall under Commission authority. mandatory. Issued only through Henry “Hank” Worsech, Director. FWP offices. Discrimination Prohibited – State and Federal laws, Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Available only to nonresident of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Conservation License holders 12 the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education years of age or older, whose state of Amendments of 1972, prohibit discrimination on the basis of residence has nonresident trapper race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or disability. Anyone licenses available to Montana Nonresident trappers. Completion of either the believing he or she has been discriminated against (as described $250 above) in any FWP program, activity, or facility may write to FWP Trapping License Idaho or Montana wolf-trapping Human Resources, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, PO Box 200701, Helena, certification class is mandatory. MT 59620-0701 or the office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department Issued only through FWP offices. of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. Any changes made to this Valid only for predatory animals printed publication can be found on the FWP website or by inquiring and nongame wildlife, including at any local FWP office. wolves. Definitions A Bow and Arrow License plus $10 Resident Bow and Arrow the proper hunting license are Bait (CR) - bait is defined as the meat or viscera of a mammal, bird (Archery) required during wolf Archery $10 Nonresident or fish, or any part thereof more than one pound in weight. Bleached Only Season. bones are excluded. Required to trap on state school Center Swivel (CR) – A swivel located on the underside of the trap trust lands. Contact Montana as near the center of the base plate as reasonably possible. The Special DNRC Department of Natural Resources Free swivel can be attached directly to the base plate at the center, Recreational and Conservation to apply for attached to a D-ring centered on the base plate, or can be included Use License in the chain at a point no more than 5 normal chain links from a this license (406-444-9726). centered D-ring or base plate attachment point at the center. Apply by Sept. 30. Excess Take (CR) - The take of a legally harvestable species after the season is closed or an individual’s possession limit has been Hunter with a Disability met. If you or someone you know has a disability and/or is aging, and is in need Ground Set (CR) – Any trap originally set in or on the land (soil, of assistive technology (AT) or adaptive equipment to help you participate rock, etc.). This includes any traps elevated less than 48 inches in outdoor recreation, please contact: above the natural ground or current snow level. MonTech at the University of Montana Rural Institute Legal Wolf – Any male or female wolf, including young-of-the-year. 29 McGill Hall Non-target Capture (CR)- Capture of any animal that cannot be Missoula, MT 59803 lawfully trapped, including domestic animals. (406) 243-5751 Relaxing Snare – A relaxing snare has a snare lock that allows the montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu 2 Turn In Poachers. Enough is Enough! Make the call: 1-800-847-6668 snare loop to release constriction pressure on the captured animal you may be required to show additional proof of residency. An when the cable is not taut (e.g., when the animal stops pulling, it out-of-state driver’s license is NOT an acceptable form of ID will loosen). This means that the locking device on the snare cable for resident license purchases. Contact your local FWP office operates both ways allowing the snare cable to move back and for specifics. forth to some degree. Locks that only close or that use springs or • A person is NOT considered a resident for the purposes of this other powering devices to hold them closed are not considered section if the person claims residence in any other state or country relaxing snares. See page 15 for examples of relaxing snares. for any purpose. Trap (MCA 87-6-101) – to take or harvest or participate in the taking or harvesting of any wildlife protected by the laws of the Hunter/Trapper Education Requirements state by setting or placing any mechanical device, snare, deadfall, Hunter Education for Firearm and Archery pit, or device intended to take wildlife or to remove wildlife from • If you were born after January 1, 1985, you are required to show any of these devices. proof of completing a Montana Hunter Safety and Education Wolf Management Unit (WMU) – Areas that define Montana’s Course (or an approved Hunter Safety Course from any other wolf-hunting and trapping districts as specified under “Wolf state or province) prior to applying for or purchasing a hunting Management Unit (WMU) Legal Descriptions. license, whether the hunting license is for the rifle or archery Obtain a License season. • Bowhunter requirements - in order to purchase a Montana Persons can take up to 10 wolves via any combination of hunting Bow and Arrow license, a hunter must provide a certificate and trapping (maximum harvest of 10 wolves per person). For of completion of a National Bowhunter Education Course hunting, a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, or provide any prior year’s archery license from any state or only a trapping license is required. Completion of mandatory wolf province. trapping certification is required to trap wolves. • Montana law requires members of the armed forces and their • A Wolf License is available at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, dependents stationed in Montana to present a Montana hunter FWP license providers, and online at fwp.mt.gov. education certificate or similar certificate from any state or • A Wolf License must be purchased by February 28, 2022. province when purchasing any Montana hunting license. • A Wolf License purchased after August 31 may not be used • Duplicates – Montana certificates of completion for the Montana until 24 hours after the license is issued.