2012 mt wolf regulations question

[JMG]

Looking at the 2012 Wolf (Hunting & Trapping) Regulations, am I missing something or what?

http://fwp.mt.gov/eBook/hunting/regulations/2012/wolf2012/index.html

Under "Limits and Seasons" on page 4 it reads, "The bag limit is 3 wolves per license year. One wolf can be taken by means of hunting, with a valid wolf license. Wolves may also be taken by trapping, with a valid trapping license, if a person has completed mandatory wolf trapping orientation. Person could take a combination of up to one wolf via hunting and two wolves via trapping (maximum harvest of three wolves per person per license year)."

So am I understanding this correctly (I don't trap), I can only shoot one wolf during "wolf" rifle/hunting season? If this is true, then "upping" the quota to three (3) wolves per license has or will accomplish very, very little. I would like to think the intent is to allow the possiblity to harvest three (3) wolves per person per license year, regardless of the means. Why not allow hunters the opportunity to harvest three (3) wolves with a firearm OR trappers the opportunity to harvest three (3) wolves via trapping, just not in excess of a total of three (3) wolves per person per license season?

 

[drahthaar]

I agree, kinda dumb. A dead wolf is a dead wolf.

My take. They are getting crap pounded with people signing up the wolf trapping class. I found this sort of unusual given they couldn't get but 18000 licenses sold to hunters, once we were actually able to hunt them, given all the hatred and yelling about hunters wanting to kill wolves, I expected much more than that. And when season rolled around, I saw nary a soul out there trying to kill one. WTH?

So in talking with many guys about hunting and the inevitable "wolf" talk arises, I bring up this class and how many guys are piping hot about taking it, I found it very confusing that so many were ready to go into something which takes considerably more effort, time, and money(trapping), I ask why are so many so hot for trapping? More than once, I get the comment, "you got to put a hole in them either way, You just need one trap, the class, and the tags to go along with it", ahhhh, got it.

 

[Big Fin]

I would like to think the intent is to allow the possiblity to harvest three (3) wolves per person per license year, regardless of the means. Why not allow hunters the opportunity to harvest three (3) wolves with a firearm OR trappers the opportunity to harvest three (3) wolves via trapping, just not in excess of a total of three (3) wolves per person per license season?

That is the intent. Here is the answer to "Why?".

Legislation as currently written does not allow for multiple tags for hunters, but does for trappers. The Department has recommended that the legislation be changed as early as possible in the upcoming session, allow multiple tags for hunters, also.

 

[Big Fin]

....So in talking with many guys about hunting and the inevitable "wolf" talk arises, I bring up this class and how many guys are piping hot about taking it.......

DJ - I have heard some of those same replies you have and I have been rather blunt in my replies to those folks.

The trappers wanted this class to be mandatory. The last thing trapping in this state needs is some of these guys who are pissed off about taking a mandatory trapper ed class, going out with their "one trap" and doing something stupid that ends up in the local newspaper and on the local evening news. The anti-hunting/anti-trapping crowds are licking their chops with the notion that someone will "take the bait" and provide these groups just what they need to convince the public to put an end to trapping.

Odds are, most guys are not going to catch a wolf if they are just starting trapping. Trapping is a skill that takes years to acquire. Not saying beginners won't catch some, but the odds are stacked against them. And, if they are serious about trapping wolves, this class will be the best investment they can make in acquiring that knowledge.

If someone is not willing to take a one-day class in order to be allowed to trap, then maybe they aren't as committed to trapping a wolf as they should be.

 

[Oak]

So in talking with many guys about hunting and the inevitable "wolf" talk arises, I bring up this class and how many guys are piping hot about taking it, I found it very confusing that so many were ready to go into something which takes considerably more effort, time, and money(trapping), I ask why are so many so hot for trapping? More than once, I get the comment, "you got to put a hole in them either way, You just need one trap, the class, and the tags to go along with it", ahhhh, got it.

It comes back to the fact that, in general, hunters are lazy. It's no different than b!tching and moaning on a hunting forum vs. actually writing letters and attending meetings. I think that many hunters know how difficult it is to actually go out and kill a wolf, and they like the idea of being able to catch one while they're sitting in their Barcalounger and watching Sunday afternoon football. We know it's not that easy, though.

 

[drahthaar]

DJ - I have heard some of those same replies you have and I have been rather blunt in my replies to those folks.

The trappers wanted this class to be mandatory. The last thing trapping in this state needs is some of these guys who are pissed off about taking a mandatory trapper ed class, going out with their "one trap" and doing something stupid that ends up in the local newspaper and on the local evening news. The anti-hunting/anti-trapping crowds are licking their chops with the notion that someone will "take the bait" and provide these groups just what they need to convince the public to put an end to trapping.

Odds are, most guys are not going to catch a wolf if they are just starting trapping. Trapping is a skill that takes years to acquire. Not saying beginners won't catch some, but the odds are stacked against them. And, if they are serious about trapping wolves, this class will be the best investment they can make in acquiring that knowledge.

If someone is not willing to take a one-day class in order to be allowed to trap, then maybe they aren't as committed to trapping a wolf as they should be.

Well, I kinda got a little blunt myself with a couple of them. Reminded them that it looks bad on all of us when they get caught doing stupid $%^&. Especially under the microscope of wolves. The others, wasn't the time nor place.

 

[steamfitter]

I was talking to a buddy yesterday and said he found the secrect for filling wolf tags he told me once someone has filled their wolf tag go back to the exact same spot 12 or so hours later and the rest of the wolves in the pack go back to the exact spot looking and smelling where the wolf was killed. Any one else experienced this. He told me they filled 4 tags this way.

 

[JMG]

Thanks, Big Fin. I wish FWP the best in getting that changed. I will have to contact my State Senator and Representative when the time comes.

Well, I will still purchase my "one" license to hunt wolves. Just in case, I encounter one while hunting. Odds are that someone will not harvest two or more in one situation, but it would be nice to have that opportunity.

I have been lucky enough to shoot two coyotes in one opportunity, so it would be nice to have that chance if the opportunity were to present itself (regarding wolves). We can all sit in our Barcaloungers and dream can't we?