FWP estimates statewide wolf population to be 1,091, still above recovery thresholds
With an estimated population of 1,091 wolves across the state, the current population is considered “relatively stable” despite some “slight declines,” according to the 2024 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) annual wolf report.
While the current estimated population is 12 fewer than 2023, the number of wolves in Montana is above determined recovery thresholds. Region 3 saw the biggest decline – and even that one was described as gradual, with 215 wolves in 2020 and 173 in 2024. Both Regions 1 and 2 have populations that seem to be about the same as 2023.
“We are committed to following the law to reduce wolf numbers to a sustainable level, which means ensuring Montana has a healthy state managed population,” said Quentin Kujala, FWP Chief of Conservation Policy. “We continue to see declines in the estimated number of wolves and wolf packs in Region 3, which suggests the current combination of hunting, trapping, and conflict management removals can effectively reduce wolf numbers in some areas at least.”
There are currently 181 wolf packs across over 25,000 square miles of territory – and overall livestock conflicts are “lower than average” per the USDA Wildlife Services since wolves were delisted in 2011, with 35 cattle, 16 sheep, three foals and eight livestock guard dogs killed.
For the 2024-2025 wolf season, 297 wolves were harvested, down from the highest harvest of 326 in 2020. For comparison, during the 2023-2024 season, 286 wolves were killed by hunters. Also, during the 2024-2025 season, limited trapping was permitted as a result of a federal court ruling concerned about the “incidental take of grizzly bears” during the state’s wolf trapping season, according to the agency. Therefore, wolf trapping was only allowed in Regions 1 through 3 from Jan. 1 to Feb 15 and some portions of Regions 4 and 5. Trapping outside of that specific area ran the Monday after Thanksgiving through March 15.
Final decisions on wolf trapping and hunting seasons will take place during the commission’s Aug. 21 meeting.
