Regulations

Regulations for upcoming seasons are posted online throughout the year. Wolf regulations are typically posted late June.

All downloads below are in PDF format.

• 2021 Wolf Regulations (updated November 3, 2021)

Mandatory Harvest Reporting & Pelt Tagging

Hunters and trappers must call in their wolf harvest within 24 hours. If the hide and skull are retained, they must be brought in for inspection and pelt tagging at an FWP office within 10 days.

• Harvest Reporting Line: 1-877-FWP-WILD (1-877-397-9453)

• Report online: MyFWP

• Transfer possession of harvested game animal that requires mandatory FWP inspection: Download form

• These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations or use FWP’s online Hunt Planner for specific dates.

   

  2021 Wolf Season Dates

  Archery
  September 4 – September 14

  General 
  September 15 – March 15

  Trapping*

  Season dates for trapping wolves will be the first Monday after Thanksgiving to March 15 for the entire state. For those districts in and near occupied grizzly bear habitat as depicted on the map on page 14 of the regulations, the department will apply a floating open season date that could start the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 29, 2021), or any day thereafter as determined by the department based upon a real time reading of conditions. If the department does not select a date prior to December 31, then the season will open on December 31 and close on March 15.

  In and near occupied grizzly bear habitat is defined as the following (map on page 14 of the regulations): 

  • Wolf Management Units 100, 101, 110, 121, 130, 150

  • That portion of WMU 200 that includes the Ninemile watershed north of I-90.

  • WMUs 210, 280, 290, 310, 313, 316, 320.

  • The western portion of WMU 390 (west of Hwy 310, South of I-90, and west of I-15/Hwy 69).

  • The western portion of WMU 400 (north and west of I-15/ Hwy 87, west of Hwy 223 between Fort Benton and Hwy 2 at Chester, south of Hwy 2 between Chester and I-15 at Shelby, and west of I-15 between Shelby and the Canadian border).

  *Note: First-time wolf trappers must complete a wolf trapping education and certification course in Montana or Idaho before setting a trap. Learn more.

A person can take up to 20 wolves with no more than 10 via hunting and no more than 10 via trapping (maximum harvest of 20 wolves per person). For hunting, a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, only a Trapping License is required.

Trapping is authorized upon completion of a mandatory one-time wolf-trapping certification course.

• A Wolf License is available over the counter at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, License Providers, and through the Online Licensing System.

• A Wolf License purchased after Aug. 31 may not be used until 24 hours after the license is issued.

• The Conservation License allows hunters, anglers, and trappers access to all legally accessible state school trust lands. Contact a DNRC office for regulations.

Prerequisite

First-time wolf trappers must successfully complete a wolf trapping certification course in Montana or Idaho before setting a trap. Learn more.

Wolf

Details: With Resident Sportsman or Nonresident Combination license, 1st wolf license.

Fees:

• Resident: $10

• Nonresident: $25

Wolf

Details: Without Resident Sportsman or Nonresident Combination license, wolf licenses 2-10.

Fees:

• Resident: $12

• Nonresident: $50