The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to advance a draft of a new predator management policy during a special public meeting on September 24, 2026. The commission’s decision follows a review of administrative rulemaking designed to overhaul the state’s quota system for wolf harvests.

New Population Estimates Drive Policy Shift

The move comes after updated data revealed significant discrepancies in previous wildlife counts. Fish and Wildlife officials had previously estimated Montana’s wolf population at 1,100 animals to set harvest quotas. However, an updated population model indicates that earlier figures grossly overestimated the number of wolves in the state.

Regan Downey explained that the new IPOM 2.0 model estimates the current wolf population at approximately 725. “They found that their former counting tool had actually overestimated the states wolf population and so instead, using a new IPOM 2.0 they found that the states wolf population was estimated to be about 725 wolves,” Downey said.

Goal Is Transparent Management

Commissioners reviewed the proposed administrative changes with the goal of establishing management practices that are deliberate, transparent, and biologically based. The reformed policy seeks to replace subjective decision-making with clear metrics and guidelines.

Jeff Burrows argued that standardized criteria would reduce uncertainty during season-setting meetings. He noted that current processes can feel arbitrary when commissioners debate specific harvest numbers without firm benchmarks.

“I think it would get rid of some of what some consider is the arbitrariness of walking into a season setting meeting and saying I propose 60 wolves in this region, well I want 58, well I want 60 too,” Burrows said.

Next Steps for Rulemaking

The commission approved the preparation of a draft for a focus-specific predator management policy. This step initiates the formal rulemaking process, which will require further public input and review before final adoption. The new framework aims to provide a more stable foundation for managing wolf populations across Montana’s diverse ecosystems.