Montana’s New Wolf Quota Lands in the Middle

Montana’s wolf season has a new number on the board: 300. After nearly four hours of discussion and public comment, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved the 2026–2027 wolf and furbearer regulations, with the season opening Sept. 5. The quota lands between last year’s 452-wolf ceiling—when hunters and trappers harvested 247 wolves—and FWP’s more cautious recommendation of 250. Commissioner Ian Wargo proposed dividing the total region by region:

• Region 1: 131
• Region 2: 92
• Region 3, excluding WMUs 313 and 316: 33
  • WMU 313: 1
  • WMU 316: 1
• Region 4: 28
• Region 5: 6
• Region 6: 4
• Region 7: 4

Behind the lower quota is iPOM 2.0, FWP’s updated wolf-population model, which is tailored more closely to Montana and estimates fewer wolves, smaller packs and larger territories than the original version. The update is undergoing peer review, giving commissioners another reason to tread carefully until next year’s annual quota review. About 120 people commented during the meeting, joining more than 2,200 comments submitted beforehand. Wolves took center stage, but the commission’s agenda had plenty of other tracks in the snow:

• Organizations selected to receive FWP auction licenses for the 2027 season:
  • Antelope: North American Pronghorn Foundation
  • Bighorn sheep: Wild Sheep Foundation
  • Elk: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
  • Mountain goat: Wild Sheep Foundation
  • Mule deer: Mule Deer Foundation
  • Shiras moose: Montana Outfitters and Guides Association Education Institute
• Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects were approved.
• An Upper Missouri River Citizen Advisory Committee member was appointed.
• The Stimson Timberland Legacy Conservation Easement was approved.
• A temporary construction closure for Kohrs Bend Fishing Access Site was approved.
• An elk hunting access agreement for Blacktail Breaks Ranch was approved.
• Roosters for Recruitment pheasant releases through 2029 were approved.
• The North Shore Wildlife Management Area agricultural lease extension was approved.
• A correction to the Hunting District 202 archery white-tailed deer season for fall 2026 and 2027 was approved.
• The 2026 Nongame Workplan was approved.