FWP proposes expansion of wolf hunting, trapping

HELENA — Wildlife officials are asking lawmakers to make it easier to hunt and trap wolves in Montana.

The House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee is scheduled to hear two proposals Thursday.

The first by the FWP agency would allow hunters and trappers to buy multiple tags and use electronic calls. It also would reduce the price of a non-resident tag from $350 to $50 and eliminate the requirement that hunters wear fluorescent orange outside of deer season.

The second bill by Republican Rep. Ted Washburn of Bozeman would go further. Washburn's plan would cap the wolf population in the state at 250 and set into law a hunting season between Oct. 1 and Feb. 28. An even longer season would be held in special districts near Yellowstone and Glacier national parks.