Although the political climate has been very tough for the wolves lately in Montana, the sun was able to shine through the clouds this week. With the help of conservation groups, pro-wolf petitions and some moderate hunters, a bill was stopped in the Montana Legislature this week that would have expanded wolf-killing on private property.

SB 414, the Montana Wolf Control Act, would have made it legal for anyone to shoot wolves on private land, at any time, for any reason without a hunting license or permit. Extreme anti-wolf groups such as Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife were trying very hard to push SB 414 through and take advantage of Congress’s unjustified action which could allow states to manage wolves as low as 100 to 150. This bill would have seriously jeopardized the genetic diversity of Montana's wolves.

Thanks to all those that worked so hard together to make sure that this wolf - kill bill was stopped in it's tracks and that Montana's wolves can still be managed as a part of their valuable native wildlife and not as unwanted vermin.