Montana wolf trapping certification classes set

With Montana's first wolf trapping season set to open in December, nearly 30 mandatory certification classes are being offered for prospective trappers to learn about what it will take to properly harvest a wolf and the need to be prepared for the challenge.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission recently approved Montana's third wolf hunting season and added a trapping season to begin on Dec. 15 and end Feb. 28, 2013.

To trap wolves, prospective trappers must attend one of 28 wolf-trapping certification classes offered statewide in September and October and have a Montana trapping license.

"The classes are free but limited to 50 people who must register online," said Ken McDonald, chief of FWP's wildlife bureau in Helena. "Each class will be a comprehensive full day education session taught by FWP staff and experienced wolf trappers."

More than 1,700 people have expressed an interest in becoming certified to trap wolves in Montana. Most classes are offered on weekends and will begin Sept. 8 and end Oct. 14. One must be at 11 years old or older to participate. Prospective trappers can find dates, locations, times and sign-up for a class on FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov. Click "Wolf Trapping Certification."

Certification topics will include the history of wolves in Montana, the current status of wolves in the state, wolf management, the role of trapping in conservation, trapping ethics, trapping regulations, equipment, proper techniques to avoid trapping non-targeted species, caring for a harvested wolf, and reporting and registering one's harvest.

Classes are being offered in Anaconda, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Conrad, Dillon, Eureka, Florence, Great Falls, Hamilton, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Libby, Livingston, Miles City, Missoula, Seeley Lake and Trout Creek.

McDonald noted that the trapping portion of each certification class will be taught by individuals with considerable experience trapping wolves in various official state or federal capacities.

"Montana's wolf trappers must be thoughtful and they need to understand that they'll be representing their fellow Montanans, hunters and trappers everywhere," McDonald said. "FWP is using hunting and trapping as a wildlife management tool to bring Montana's rapidly growing wolf population into balance with available habitats, other wildlife and with the values and tolerance of the people who live, work and recreate in Montana."

Licenses are currently on sale. Montana trapping licenses cost $20 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. Wolf hunting licenses cost $19 for residents and $350 for nonresidents.

Montana wolf trappers can also get certified by taking the wolf trapping class offered by Idaho Fish and Game. For information on Idaho's wolf trapper class visit fishandgame.idaho.gov.

The recovery of the wolf in the Northern Rockies remains one of the fastest endangered species comebacks on record. In the mid 1990s, to hasten the overall pace of wolf recovery in the Northern Rockies, 66 wolves were released into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.

The minimum Montana wolf population estimates at the end of 2011 include 653 wolves, in 130 verified packs, and 39 breeding pairs. The minimum wolf count is the number of wolves actually counted by FWP wolf specialists, and likely is 10 to 30 percent fewer than the actual wolf population.

FWP has led wolf management under the federal guidelines since 2004. The delisting of wolves in May 2011 allows Montana to manage wolves in a manner similar to how bears, mountain lions and other wildlife species are managed, which is guided by state management plans, administrative rules and laws.