MontanaHB 55469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Remove FWP requirement to regulate wolves as furbearers or game animals

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Landowner wolf kill permits after depredation

After wolves are off Montana’s endangered list, the wildlife or livestock department can control wolves to protect livestock. Actions must follow a wolf plan approved by both departments. Any approved plan must let the wildlife department issue special kill permits. Landowners or public land permittees who have had livestock killed by wolves can get a written shoot-on-sight permit.

New state rules for wolf status

The law sets a step-by-step state process for wolf status. When federal wildlife officials remove gray wolves from the endangered list, Montana can take them off the state list after finding they are not endangered. After state delisting, the wildlife department manages wolves as a “species in need of management.” When the department and the Fish and Wildlife Commission agree this extra protection is no longer needed, the Commission can make wolves game animals or furbearers and set hunting or trapping rules. This ends any automatic game or furbearer status and uses agency findings instead.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Brandon Ler
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Greg Hertz
Republican • Senate
Jedediah Hinkle
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 119

House vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 32 • No: 12

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 57 • No: 42

House vote • 3/4/2025