Wolf Hunt Reopened Near Gardiner
A district judge has reopened wolf hunting and trapping seasons in two areas north of Yellowstone National Park. Those areas were closed by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission on December 10th in response to concern that hunters were taking wolves with collars that supplied scientific information to National Park researchers. The areas ordered to be reopened are within Wolf Management Unit 390 near Gardiner. District Judge Nels Swandal’s order suggested that Fish Wildlife and Parks failed to offer sufficient public notice about the closure and set a hearing for January 14th. The suit challenging the Commission’s decision had been brought by several sporting groups and a state representative from Park County. Typically, Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping seasons are open through February 28th.
