Wolf Trapping Plan Generates Huge Public Response

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials say they have received a whopping 6,500 comments on their proposal for this year's wolf hunt.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim says the number of comments far outnumbers the 1,500 received in 2011.

He says the difference has been this year's proposal to allow trapping in addition to bow and rifle seasons. Aasheim says that proposal has generated a lot of discussion from those who say trapping is not a reasonable way to manage wolves and from those who say the plan doesn't go far enough.

The FWP commission will set the regulations for the 2012-2013 wolf hunt at its Thursday meeting.

In addition to allowing trapping, the commission will decide whether to lift quotas for most regions and expand the length of the season.