PDF Montana Hunting Regulations - Montana Legislature

2011

WOLF

Montana Hunting Regulations

What's New? See Page 2

for D etails and R eminders

Gray wolf Canis lupus. Photo by Jaime and Lisa Johnson

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Regulations Adopted by FWP Commission

These regulations are adopted under the authority granted to the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission (FWPC) in MCA 87-1-301 and are valid March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012. These regulations were adopted by the FWPC on July 14, 2011. Joe Maurier, Director.

State and Federal laws, Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or disability. Anyone believing he or she has been discriminated against (as described above) in any Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) program, activity, or facility may write to FWP Personnel Office, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701 or the office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

What's New & Reminders

What's New ? License sales to begin August 8, 2011. ? A wolf license purchased after September 2 may not be used until five days after the license is issued. ? 14 wolf management units created. ? Quota changes in all wolf management units (WMUs). ? Quotas are valid through December. ? Early backcountry areas have their own quotas or subquotas. ? Archery Only season for wolf. ? A resident or nonresident youth who is currently 11 but will reach 12 years of age by January 16, 2012, may hunt any game species for which their license is valid, after August 15, 2011.

Reminders ? WMUs may close within 24 hours; a wolf harvest must be reported within 12 hours.

- be registered to vote in Montana if you're registered to vote. - not possess current (or have applied for any) resident hunting,

fishing, or trapping privileges in another state or country. - file Montana state income tax returns as a resident, if you

are required to file. ? Once you have established your residency, you must continue

to meet all these requirements and physically reside in Montana as your principal or primary place of abode for not less than 120 days per year (days need not be consecutive). ? To purchase an annual resident conservation license you will be required to show a valid Montana Driver's License (MDL), a valid Montana Identification Card (MIC) or a valid Tribal Identification Card. ? If your MDL or MIC has been issued for less than six months, you may be required to show additional proof of residency. An out-of-state driver's license is NOT an acceptable form of ID for resident license purchases. Contact your local FWP office for specifics. ? A person is NOT considered a resident for the purposes of this section if the person claims residence in any other state or country for any purpose.

Licensing ? General Information and Procedures

? A wolf license is available at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, FWP license providers, and online at fwp..

? A wolf license purchased after September 2 may not be used until five days after the license is issued.

? The conservation license allows hunters, anglers and trappers access to all legally accessible state school trust lands.

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact ? Montana is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Under the compact, member states recognize suspensions of hunting, fishing or trapping privileges. It is illegal for a violator whose privilege to hunt, fish or trap is suspended to obtain or attempt to obtain a license, tag or permit in a member state. For more information, call 406-444-2452.

License Chart

The following licenses, for the purpose of wolf hunting are valid March 1, 2011 through the dates listed in these regulations and subject to quota closures.

LICENSE Conservation

REQUIREMENTS Required Prerequisite

COST $ 8 Resident $ 10 Nonresident

Youth Hunting Opportunities

? A resident or nonresident youth 11 years of age is entitled to purchase a wolf license. Proof of hunter education must be presented at the time of purchase.

? A resident or nonresident youth who will reach 12 years of age by January 16, 2012, may hunt any game species for which their license is valid, after August 15, 2011.

Hunter Education Requirements

Hunting Access Annual fee charged at the time $ 2 Resident

Enhancement the hunter purchases his/her first

Fee

hunting license.

$ 10 Nonresident

Wolf

Required

$ 19 Resident $350 Nonresident

Licensing ? Residency

It is illegal to swear to or to affirm a false statement in order to obtain an original or duplicate resident hunting and/or fishing license OR to assist an unqualified applicant in obtaining a resident license.

Resident ? To be a legal Montana resident and eligible to purchase any Montana resident fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses, as per MCA 87-2-102, you must: - claim Montana as your principal or primary home or place of abode. - have been physically living in Montana for at least 180 consecutive days immediately prior to purchasing a resident license. - register your vehicle(s) in Montana.

Hunter Education for Firearm and Archery ? If you were born after January 1, 1985, you are required to show proof of completing a Montana hunter safety and education course (or an approved hunter safety course from any other state or province) prior to applying for or purchasing a hunting license, whether the hunting license is for the rifle or archery season. ? Montana law requires members of the armed forces and their dependents stationed in Montana to present a Montana hunter education certificate or similar certificate from any state or province when purchasing any Montana hunting license. ? Duplicates ? Montana certificates of completion for the Montana hunter education and/or bowhunter education courses may be obtained from FWP's Web site.

Definitions

Legal Wolf ? Any male or female wolf, including young-of-the year.

Wolf Management Unit (WMU) ? Represents a group of hunting districts as specified under "WMU Regulations".

Subunit ? Represents a specifically described portion of a WMU.

2 Turn In Poachers. Enough is Enough! Make the call: 1-800-847-6668

Hunter Land Access

Means and Methods of Hunting

Private Land Access ? Montana law requires hunters to have the permission of the landowner, lessee, or their agent before hunting on private property, regardless of whether the land is posted or not. Access courtesy cards and a map directory pamphlet are available at all FWP offices.

Public Land Access ? Wolf hunting between the ordinary high water marks of streams and rivers is illegal without landowner permission. Landowner permission must be obtained to hunt private lands adjacent to waterways. ? FWP is working cooperatively with other agencies to improve signing of legally accessible public lands wherever possible. A map directory pamphlet is available at all FWP offices. ? Enforcement of Area Closures on Public Land: All federally approved travel plans on public lands in Montana are hereby adopted by the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission. Motorized travel in restricted areas in violation of any current travel plan or land use plan is prohibited during the hunting season.

Railroad Access ? Railroads and railroad right-of-ways are private property and may not be hunted without permission, nor should they be used as access to other lands (private or public) without explicit permission from the railroad. Consult the individual railroad for details.

State School Trust Land ? A conservation license allows hunters, anglers and trappers access to all legally accessible state lands. ? Motorized travel is only allowed on public roads or on designated roads. ? Designated roads signed as "open" to motorized vehicle use or the information as to which roads are designated as open is available from the DNRC Offices. ? Motorized use of other roads and trails and all off-road use is prohibited.

State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) ? Wildlife Management Areas are generally open to hunting during the fall wolf season. WMAs with big game winter range are closed to public entry, unless otherwise posted, from the day following the end of the general deer-elk season or December 1, whichever is later, to May 15 each year, as posted. - Exception: There are several exceptions to these guidelines. For WMA specific information, please call the Regional office (see page 12 for contact numbers) or visit the FWP website at:

fwp.habitat/wildlifeManagementAreas

Closed Lands ? State Game Preserves, National Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges are closed to wolf hunting. For additional information on state and federal regulations, contact the local land manager.

Tribal Lands ? Only tribal members may be allowed to hunt wolves on Indian Reservations, unless otherwise provided for by agreements between the State of Montana and Tribal governments. For questions contact the respective Tribal Government Office.

Hunters with a Disability

If you or someone you know has a disability and/or is aging, and is in need of assistive technology (AT) or adaptive equipment to facilitate participation in outdoor recreation, please contact MonTECH at the University of Montana Rural Institute at 700 SW Higgins Ave., Suite 250, Missoula, MT 59803; 877-243-5511.

As a species in need of management, wolves may only be taken by hunting (firearms or archery) .

Youth ? In order to carry or use a firearm for any reason, a youth under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a person having charge or custody of the child, or be under the supervision of a qualified firearms safety instructor or an adult 18 years of age or older who has been authorized by the youth's parent or guardian, MCA 45-8-344.

Firearms ? General Season ? There is no rifle or handgun caliber limitation for the taking of big game animals. ? Muzzleloaders, shotguns with 0, 00, or slugs, archery equipment, and crossbows are legal. ? The possession of firearms with silencers while afield is illegal.

Archery Equipment ? Archery Only Season and in archery equipment only areas. ? It is unlawful to use any chemical or explosive device attached to an arrow to aid in the taking of wildlife. ? Lawful Archery Equipment: It is illegal to possess, while hunting big game during any archery only season and in archery equipment only areas, archery equipment that does not meet the following criteria. ? Hunting Bow: A hunting bow for big game shall be a longbow, flatbow, recurve bow, compound bow, or any combination of these designs ? The bow must be a device for launching an arrow, which derives its propulsive energy solely from the bending and recovery of two limbs (includes bows with split limbs). ? The bow must be hand drawn by a single and direct uninterrupted pulling action of the shooter. ? The bow must be hand-held. One hand shall hold the bow and the other hand draw the bowstring. Exception: Physically disabled bowhunters certified by FWP with the Permit To Modify Archery Equipment (PMAE) are exempted from the requirement of holding or shooting the bow with their hands. ? A bow is considered legal if not shorter than 28 inches total length. ? The nominal percent of let-off for hunting bows shall be a maximum of 80 percent. ? Arrow: An arrow is a projectile at least 20 inches in overall length. The length of the arrow is measured from the rearward point of the nock to the tip of the broadhead. ? A broadhead is mounted on the fore end. ? The arrow shall weigh no less than 300 grains with the broadhead attached. ? Arrows must have broadheads with at least two cutting edges. Expandable broadheads are legal as long as when expanded they are at least 7/8 inches at the widest point, and weigh no less than 70 grains. ? The following are not considered a hunting bow or legal archery equipment during the Archery Only Season or in an ArchEquip Only area or hunting district: - Crossbow. - Any device with a gun-type stock or incorporating any device or mechanism that holds the bowstring at partial or full draw without the shooter's muscle power. - Any bow for which a portion of the bow's riser (handle) or any track, trough, channel, or other device that attaches directly to the bow's riser contacts, supports, and/or guides the arrow from a point rearward of the bow's brace height. This is not intended to restrict the use of standard overdraw systems. - Electronic or battery-powered devices attached to a hunting bow. - A bow sight or arrow which uses artificial light, luminous chemicals such as tritium, or electronics.

2011 Wolf Hunting Regulations

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Prohibited Methods of Taking

? It is unlawful to: - loan or transfer your license to another person or use a license issued to another person. - interfere/hinder with the lawful taking of a game animal. - to hunt wolves with dogs. - to trap wolves during the wolf hunting season. - to place any bait for the purpose of attracting wolves to hunt. - use artificial scents or lures to hunt wolves.

? It is illegal for anyone to hunt or attempt to hunt any wolf: - from any self propelled (that is, motorized) or drawn vehicle. Even if the vehicle is not moving, hunters must be off or out of the vehicle. Holders of the Permit To Hunt From A Vehicle are the exception to this; - from, on or across any public highway or the shoulder, berm, barrow pit or right-of-way of any public highway (the entire width between the boundary lines of every publicly maintained way when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel, MCA 61-1-202) in the State of Montana; or - by the aid or with the use of any set gun, jacklight, spotlight or other artificial light, trap, snare, or an electronic tracking deviceas per Montana law.

? Hunters may not use a motorized vehicle or aircraft to concentrate, drive, rally, stir-up, corral or harass wolves.

? Party hunting is not legal in Montana; each hunter must shoot his/her own animal.

General Regulations

It is illegal to ? "Party" hunt. Each hunter must shoot and tag his/her own animal. ? Loan or transfer their license to another person or use a license issued to another person. ? Carry or have physical control over a valid and unused hunting license or permit issued to another person while in any location where the species to be hunted occurs. Exception: a person may carry or have control over a license or permit issued to that person's spouse or any minor when the spouse or minor is hunting with that person. ? Alter a license or permit for any reason. ? Post state or federal land other than that done by a state or federal land agency.

Airplane Spotting ? Aircraft may not be used to locate wolves for the purpose of: 1) hunting those animals within the same hunting day after a person has been airborne; or 2) providing information to another person for the purpose of hunting those animals within the same hunting day after being airborne. The same hunting day in this context is defined as between the earliest and latest legal hunting hours.

Check Stations ? All hunters are required to stop as directed at all designated check stations on their way to and from hunting and fishing areas, even if they have no game or fish to be checked.

Evidence of Sex ? The following are considered lawful evidence of sex: males: testicles; females: vulva or mammaries.

Hunting Hours ? Authorized hunting hours for the taking of wolves begin one-half hour before sunrise and end one-half hour after sunset each day of the hunting season. See official sunrise-sunset tables in these regulations.

Hunter Orange ? Firearm Hunters - Any person hunting or accompanying a hunter as an outfitter or guide must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange (fluorescent) material above the waist, visible at all times.

? Archery Hunters - A licensed bowhunter pursuing wolf during the Archery Only Season or in archery only hunting district is not required to meet the hunter orange requirement even if there is a concurrent firearm season in that hunting district or portion of district. However, bowhunters hunting during any portion of the general season (firearm) for wolf must always wear a minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange (fluorescent) above the waist, visible at all times.

Illegal Take ? A person convicted of the illegal taking, killing, or possession of a wolf will be fined $1,000 as per Montana law.

Inspection of Wildlife ? Wildlife taken must be shown to FWP enforcement for inspection when requested.

License Possession ? Licenses must be carried on your person at all times while in the field hunting. ? Licenses must be produced if requested by FWP Enforcement personnel.

Limits and Seasons ? A hunter may legally harvest/take one wolf per license year.

Motion-Tracking or Camera Devices ? It is illegal for a person to possess or use in the field any electronic or camera device whose purpose is to scout the location of game animals or relay the information on a game animal's location or movement during any Commission-adopted hunting season.

Night Vision Equipment ? It is illegal to use night vision equipment or electronically enhanced light gathering optics for locating or hunting game.

Recorded Animal Sounds ? It is illegal to use any recorded or electrically amplified bird or animal calls or sounds or imitations of bird or animal calls or sounds to assist in the hunting, taking, killing or capturing of wolves."

Return to Kill Site ? As a condition of hunting in Montana, persons may be required to return to the kill site if requested to do so by a FWP employee.

Silencers ? The possession of firearms with silencers while big game hunting is illegal.

Simulated Wildlife ? It is illegal to discharge a firearm or other hunting implement at a simulated wildlife decoy in violation of any state statute or FWP commission rule regulating the hunting of the wildlife being simulated.

Transport of Big Game ? If you are transporting wolves, game, furbearers or fish between Montana and Canada, whether for commercial or noncommercial purposes, you must complete a USFWS declaration form and inspection. Contact the Wildlife Inspector, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Great Falls International Airport, 2800 Terminal Drive, Suite 105, Great Falls, MT 59404 or phone 406-453-5790 or fax 406-453-3657 or download from USFWS website at . ? A CITES permit is required in order to export wolf hides or parts out of the United States. Information on these permits and how to acquire them may be obtained from: Office of Management Authority, USFWS, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 432, Arlington VA 22203 or telephone 1-800-358-2104 or local USFWS office or agent, or USFWS website at .

4 Turn In Poachers. Enough is Enough! Make the call: 1-800-847-6668

Two-way Communications ? Two-way communication (radios, cell phones, text messages, etc.) may not be used to: - hunt wolves. "Hunt" means to "pursue, shoot, wound, kill, chase, lure, possess or capture." OR - avoid game checking stations, FWP enforcement personnel, or to facilitate unlawful activity. ? The rule does not prohibit the possession or use of two-way communication for safety or other legitimate purposes.

Waste of Game ? wolf is excluded from being considered as "suitable for food" under big game regulations. A person that harvests a wolf must possess the head and hide, with evidence of sex naturally attached. The remaining carcass may be taken in possession or be left in the field.

Youth Hunters ? In order to carry or use a firearm for any reason, a youth under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a person having charge or custody of the child, or be under the supervision of a qualified firearms safety instructor or an adult 18 years of age or older who has been authorized by the youth's parent or guardian, MCA 45-8-344.

Procedures to Follow Upon Harvesting a Wolf

? Wolves are excluded from being considered as "suitable for food". A person that harvests a wolf and wishes to retain possession of the hide and head must personally present the hide and skull with evidence of sex naturally attached to a designated FWP employee within ten (10) days after harvest. The remaining carcass may be taken in possession or be left in the field as per Montana law.

? Individuals may possess, transport, sell, or purchase naturally shed antlers, or the antlers with a skull or portion of a skull attached from a game animal that has died from natural causes and that has not been illegally or accidentally killed. Because road-killed animals have not died from natural causes, the carcass or parts of protected or regulated species may not be salvaged or possessed. It is illegal to possess a bighorn sheep head/horn picked up in the wild.

? Immediately after killing a wolf, a hunter must cut out the proper month and date of the kill from the appropriate license and attach it to the animal or hide in a secure and visible manner. All hunters must validate and tag their wolf harvest.

To properly validate a license, locate the appropriate month and date the animal was killed and completely cut away (notch out) the month and the first and second digits of the date designations. Removing more than one month or one date designation invalidates the license.

? Evidence of sex must remain naturally attached to the hide. ? All successful wolf hunters must personally report their wolf

kill within 12 hours regardless of their intent to retain possession of the hide and skull by calling the Wolf Reporting Number at 1 877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453) so that FWP can monitor quota levels. Hunters are required to provide: name, telephone number, ALS number, species, date of harvest, WMU, specific location (legal description), and sex when reporting a wolf harvest. When reporting a wolf harvest, it is unlawful to subscribe to or make any statement that is materially false. ? As a prerequisite to retain possession of the hide and skull, a hunter must personally present the hide and skull to a designated FWP employee within ten (10) days after harvest for the purpose of: - inspection and registration of kill. - verify evidence of sex. - tagging the hide. The hide tag must thereafter remain attached

to the hide until tanned. 2011 Wolf Hunting Regulations

? Any hide and skull not presented or registered to FWP personnel within ten (10) days of harvest are subject to confiscation.

? It is unlawful for anyone to possess, ship, transport, sell or purchase any wild wolf harvested in Montana, or part thereof, unless the animal has been tagged as prescribed.

Harvest Limits and Quotas

Harvest Limits ? A wolf license holder may take only one legal wolf.

Harvest Quotas ? Harvest quotas will be established for each WMU or subunit. - During annual quota-setting, subunits may be described and assigned harvest subquotas. ? When a hunting season quota is reached in a WMU, the hunting season will close upon a 24-hour notice, but no later than December 31. ? The Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has authorized the department to initiate an emergency season closure at any time.

Harvest Status, Closure and Reporting Information ? Wolf harvest information may be obtained: - by calling 1-800-385-7826 for statewide information or, - by checking the FWP website at fwp., available 24-hours a day. - The toll-free line and FWP website are updated daily by 1 p.m. MST. ? A wolf harvest must be reported within 12 hours by calling 1-877397-9453. This number is available 24-hours a day.

Common Sense Precautions When Field-Dressing or Skinning Big Game

? To minimize risk of disease or parasite transmission to humans, follow these proper ways to handle wild meat, carcasses and hides:

? Wear rubber (latex) gloves when field dressing or skinning game. ? Minimize contact with animal fluids, brain, spinal tissues and feces. ? Wash hands and instruments thoroughly after field dressing or

processing. ? Cook all meat until well done before consuming. ? To minimize risk of disease or parasite transmission to your

domestic dog, prevent consumption of big game viscera. ? See page 9 for more information.

To report a violation anywhere in the state call 1-800-TIP-MONT,

1-800-847-6668.

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