FWP gray wolf meeting sparks little controversy

By TREVON MILLIARD Chronicle Staff Writer

Only 11 people showed at a public hearing Wednesday to gather comment on a proposed state rule that would designate the gray wolf as a species in need of management.

Only four of those that showed said a word, and none complained about the change from endangered to “in need of management” so much as small details of the rules.

“I was hoping for a little better turnout,” said FWP Gray Wolf Coordinator Carolyn Sime. “I guess this says people feel comfortable with the change.”

The new rules are the result of the gray wolf being taken off the federal list of threatened and endangered species list in March. Even though the animal is no longer seen as endangered “the new rules seek to manage and maintain wolf populations” in Montana, Sime said.

“They still need management because they no longer fit the classification as endangered with extinction,” she said.

The new rules outline how wildlife officials can control and kill wolves if threatening livestock or people, but there’s barely any difference compared to the rules used when the wolves were seen as endangered, Sime said.

“It’s only legal to kill them to protect human life or if you see them attacking your livestock,” Sime said. “They’re still legally protected under state law.”

Probably the biggest change is the title, she said.

Sime said this is the last step of the state’s classification transition for gray wolves. FWP will have two more public hearings: Missoula July 16 and Helena July 18. They’ll also be accepting written comments up to July 15 before the state decides if they accept the rules in August.

Trevon Milliard can be reached at tmilliard@dailychronicle.com or 582-2657.

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