FWP releases 2024 wolf report; population relatively stable despite increase in harvest
HELENA – The wolf population has remained relatively stable in the past few years with only slight declines in the statewide population estimates, according to the 2024 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks annual wolf report.
When looked at by FWP administrative region, wolf numbers are seeing a more definitive decline in Region 3, where wolf population estimates have gradually declined from 215 in 2020, to 173 in 2024. In western and northwest Montana, regions 2 and 1 respectively, populations are estimated to be nearly the same as last year.
“We are committed to following the law to reduce wolf numbers to a sustainable level, which means ensuring Montana has a healthy state managed population,” said Quentin Kujala, FWP Chief of Conservation Policy. “We continue to see declines in the estimated number of wolves and wolf packs in Region 3, which suggests the current combination of hunting, trapping, and conflict management removals can effectively reduce wolf numbers in some areas at least.”
The estimated statewide wolf population for 2024 was 1,091, which is 12 fewer than the 2023 estimated population of 1,103 and still well above recovery thresholds. The number of wolf packs was 181, spread over 66,000 square kilometers. Total wolf harvest for the 2024-2025 wolf season was 297 wolves, the highest since 326 were harvested during the 2020 license year. During the 2023-2024 season, 286 wolves were taken.
USDA Wildlife Services confirmed the loss of 35 cattle, 16 sheep, three foals, and eight livestock guard dogs. This total was lower than the average number of livestock conflicts since delisting in 2011, except for the loss of guard dogs, which increased in 2024.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted limited trapping dates for the 2024/2025 wolf season in parts of western Montana. This was in response to a federal court ruling last summer that limited the scope of Montana’s wolf trapping season due to concerns about incidental take of grizzly bears, which are still federally protected. Wolf trapping was only allowed from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 in regions 1-3 and portions of regions 4 and 5, according to the geographic area identified by federal district court. Trapping outside this geographic area opened the Monday after Thanksgiving and ran through March 15.
The Commission will review and make a final decision on the furbearer and wolf trapping and hunting seasons at its Aug. 21 meeting.
The annual wolf report can be found on FWP’s website on the wolf management page.
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