87-1-901. Gray wolf management -- rulemaking -- reporting. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the commission shall establish by rule hunting and trapping seasons for wolves. For game management purposes, the commission may authorize:

(a) the issuance of more than one Class E-1 or Class E-2 wolf hunting license to an applicant; and

(b) the trapping of more than one wolf by the holder of a trapping license.

(2) The commission shall adopt rules to allow a landowner or the landowner's agent to take a wolf on the landowner's property at any time without the purchase of a Class E-1 or Class E-2 wolf license when the wolf is a potential threat to human safety, livestock, or dogs. The rules must:

(a) be consistent with the Montana gray wolf conservation and management plan and the adaptive management principles of the commission and the department for the Montana gray wolf population;

(b) require a landowner or the landowner's agent who takes a wolf pursuant to this subsection (2) to promptly report the taking to the department and to preserve the carcass of the wolf;

(c) establish a quota each year for the total number of wolves that may be taken pursuant to this subsection (2); and

(d) allow the commission to issue a moratorium on the taking of wolves pursuant to this subsection (2) before a quota is reached if the commission determines that circumstances require a limitation of the total number of wolves taken.

(3) Public land permittees who have experienced livestock depredation must obtain a special kill permit authorized in 87-5-131(3)(b) to take a wolf on public land without the purchase of a Class E-1 or Class E-2 license.

(4) The department shall report annually to the environmental quality council regarding the implementation of 87-5-131, 87-5-132, and this section.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 297, L. 2013.