Governor Gianforte Discusses Wolf Trapping Incident with Press

As part of a press conference to bring attention to National Agriculture Week, Governor Greg Gianforte was asked by reporters about a recent incident where he was cited by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks over wolf trapping without taking a class in how to dispatch the wolf in a humane manner.

“First, let me say I think trapping is a very effective tool in wildlife management and predator control,” said Gianforte. “I was pleased to harvest a wolf here recently it was an investment of probably 40 days over five years. I was honored that we have such a great program here in the state. “We followed the slight misstep I had by not having the certification. I had the hunting license. I had the trapping license. I had the wolf tag. We were checking these traps on a regular basis as required by law, and as soon as we determined that we had a wolf we dispatched the wolf.”

Gianforte said both he and his wife Susan enjoy hunting in Montana.

“I was spending more time down there this winter because my wife was fortunate enough to draw a bison tag and the 15th happened to be the last day of bison season,” he said. “I spent most of that time over the last five years hunting wolves and I have a friend that has done extensive trapping, so we work together to set these traps and we kind of paired up to make sure they were checked on a regular basis. Again, it was a tremendous honor to be able to a harvest a wolf in Montana.”

Gianforte wrapped up the subject with this statement.

“I've been trapping for nearly 50 years,” he said. “I started when I was just a toddler. “Again, I think it's an integral part of our heritage and an important tool in predator control and wildlife management. I made a mistake and then took the class. I'm glad I was able to check the box last night, it was a good refresher for me, but in hindsight, I wouldn't have done anything differently.”

Gianforte was given a written warning and he completed the trapping course on Wednesday.