Montana’s Wolf Hunting Policies Under Federal Scrutiny Again

A federal judge in Missoula has struck down the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision not to increase protections for gray wolves in the West. The ruling sends the issue back to the agency for further review, calling out major flaws in how they evaluated wolf populations and state management efforts.

This all comes after a coalition of environmental groups challenged a 2024 decision that said wolves didn’t need to be relisted under the Endangered Species Act. Judge Donald Molloy wasn’t convinced, and he made it clear in a 105-page ruling that the agency got it wrong.

The Heart of the Issue

At the center of the lawsuit was the claim that FWS didn’t properly consider serious threats facing gray wolves. We're talking about shrinking habitat, reduced genetic diversity, aggressive hunting policies, and political pressure. The plaintiffs also pushed for either a new “Western Distinct Population Segment” or a return to protections for the Northern Rocky Mountain population.

FWS dismissed both ideas back in February, saying gray wolves weren’t in danger. But the judge disagreed and pointed out that the agency didn’t rely on the best available science when making that decision.

Where the Science Fell Short

One of the biggest criticisms was how FWS calculated wolf populations. Montana uses a controversial modeling system that relies partly on hunter surveys, while Idaho uses trail cameras. Scientists and conservationists say both methods overestimate population size and don’t give a true picture of how wolves are really doing.

Judge Molloy said the agency failed to seriously consider those criticisms. He also pointed out that FWS overlooked the species’ historic range, gray wolves used to roam across most of North America, and ignored ongoing threats in places like California, Oregon, and Washington.

Montana’s Role in the Debate

Montana’s policies on wolves have drawn national attention. In recent years, the state legislature has passed laws to reduce the wolf population, including loosening hunting and trapping rules. Under new proposed regulations, up to 500 wolves could be legally killed this season, a sharp increase from last year’s quota.

While Montana officials insist the wolf population is healthy and well-managed, environmental groups say the state’s approach is anything but balanced and that it prioritizes politics over science.

A Cycle That Needs to Stop?

Judge Molloy had some strong words about what he called a “political yo-yo process.” He said that if wolves are delisted just to be overhunted by states, only to be relisted again later, we’re stuck in a cycle that helps no one. That, he said, isn’t how wildlife management is supposed to work.

So What’s Next?

This ruling doesn’t automatically put wolves back under federal protection, but it does force the Fish and Wildlife Service to re-evaluate its decision. That could open the door for more protections, especially in states like Montana and Idaho where wolf hunting has become more aggressive.

Timing Is Everything

This court decision lands just as Montana prepares to finalize its upcoming wolf hunting and trapping season, with a vote expected by the end of August. With a proposed kill quota of 500 wolves, environmental advocates say the timing of the ruling couldn’t be more important.

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For now, the future of the gray wolf in the West is once again in federal hands and all eyes are on what happens next.