The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted wolf hunting and trapping regulations that move closer to a statewide quota as part of lawmakers’ ongoing effort to reduce Montana’s wolf population.

The decision on Thursday came after six hours of commission debate and impassioned public comment. Most commenters asked commissioners not to adopt Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ proposal to establish a 500-wolf quota that would apply to almost the entire state.

Many opponents criticized the model that produced the current wolf population estimate (1,091 wolves, according to FWP) and argued that politics rather than science has been steering the discussion. Opponents also urged the commission to consider wolves’ ecological role and economic value, particularly in areas outside Yellowst

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