Can You Hunt Wolves in Montana in 2026-27? What the Law Requires
November 11, 2026
Wolf hunting season in Montana 2026-27 opens Sept. 5, and this year’s rules are tighter than last year’s. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a statewide harvest quota of 300 wolves for the 2026-27 hunting and trapping season. That is down from 452 last season, when 247 wolves were harvested, and higher than the 250 FWP recommended.
Yes, you can hunt wolves in Montana, and you do not need a drawing to do it. You do need the right license, you have to stay within regional quotas, and every wolf you take must be presented to FWP. This article walks through the dates, units, quotas, tags, methods, and reporting rules so you know what applies before you head out.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) publishes the official regulations, and the Commission reviews them every year. If you are also planning a big game trip, see the Montana deer hunting season guide for dates that overlap with wolf season.
Wolf Hunting Season Dates in Montana 2026-27
The general wolf hunting season opens Sept. 5, 2026. The Commission unanimously approved the 2026-2027 wolf and furbearer regulations with the season opening Sept. 5. The season runs until the quota is filled or the regulation end date arrives, whichever comes first.
Trapping follows a separate calendar. The wolf trapping season runs from Nov. 30, 2026 to March 15, 2027 outside the area covered by a federal court order. FWP’s proposal set trapping outside that area to begin on the first Monday and close on March 15, 2027.
| Method | Area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| General hunting | Statewide, by quota | Opens Sept. 5, 2026 |
| Trapping and snaring | Outside federal court order area | Nov. 30, 2026 to March 15, 2027 |
| Trapping and snaring | Inside federal court order area | Starts Jan. 1 and runs into February |
For the trapping window inside the court-order area, FWP’s species page lists Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 for the prior season. Check the FWP wolf species page for the exact 2026-27 closing date in that area.
Wolf Hunting Units, Zones and Regions in Montana
Montana manages wolves by FWP administrative region and by wolf management unit (WMU). The quota is split regionally, so you need to know which region you are hunting in before you buy tags or set out.
The Blackfoot-Clearwater area has its own wolf trapping unit. WMUs 313 and 316 in Region 3 are managed separately and now carry a reduced bag limit of one wolf per unit.
The federal court order matters for trapping dates. The geographic area covers all of FWP regions 1, 2 and 3, and portions of regions 4 and 5. Trapping inside that area opens later than trapping elsewhere.
Wolf Harvest Quotas and Season Closures in Montana
Quotas are the main thing that can end your season early. The Commission set regional quotas of 131 in Region 1, 92 in Region 2, 33 in Region 3 (excluding WMUs 313 and 316), 28 in Region 4, and smaller numbers in Regions 5 through 7. Those regional numbers add up to the 300-wolf statewide total.
| FWP Region | 2026-27 Wolf Quota |
|---|---|
| Region 1 | 131 |
| Region 2 | 92 |
| Region 3 (excluding WMUs 313 and 316) | 33 |
| WMU 313 | 1 |
| WMU 316 | 1 |
| Region 4 | 28 |
| Region 5 | 6 to 7 |
| Region 6 | 4 to 5 |
| Region 7 | 4 |
Reports differ slightly on the smallest regions. KBZK reported Region 5 at seven wolves, Region 6 at five, and Region 7 at four. Montana Outdoor listed Region 5 at 6 and Region 6 at 4. The FWP wolf page and the regulation booklet carry the binding figures.
Pro Tip: Call the FWP wolf harvest hotline or check the FWP wolf page before each hunt. A region can close with little notice once its quota is reached.
Wolf Hunting License and Tag Requirements in Montana
You need a Montana wolf license to hunt, and you can buy more than one. Wolf tags go on sale in August 2026. You also need a conservation license and the other base licenses Montana requires for hunting.
Trapping carries an extra requirement. Trapping is authorized after you complete a mandatory one-time wolf-trapping certification course. First-time wolf trappers must complete a certification course in Montana.
Landowners have a separate option. Some trapping licenses are issued only through FWP offices. An owner or lessee of land can buy a landowner license that lets them hunt and trap wolves on their own property only.
Wolf Tag Cost for Residents and Nonresidents in Montana
FWP sets license fees by statute and publishes them each year. The sources reviewed for this article did not include a verified 2026-27 fee schedule, so no dollar figures are listed here. Get exact residents’ and nonresidents’ prices from the FWP licensing pages or any FWP office.
What matters for your budget is the number of tags. Under the new regulations, hunters can purchase up to 10 wolf licenses and harvest up to 10 wolves. Each tag is a separate purchase, so costs scale with how many wolves you want to be able to take.
Nonresident Wolf Hunting in Montana
Nonresidents can hunt wolves in Montana. The wolf season is quota-based and does not use a drawing, so there is no application deadline to track. Nonresidents hunting other species on public land face a delayed start. Nonresidents on public lands and access-program lands begin hunting 10 days later than residents for all species except mountain grouse. That rule applies to the upland and big game seasons, not to wolf season.
Nonresident trappers have an added step. Completion of either the Idaho or Montana wolf-trapping certification is accepted for nonresidents who want to trap wolves in Montana.
Nonresidents pay more for licenses than residents do. Confirm the exact fee through FWP before you travel.
Wolf Bag Limits in Montana
The bag limit dropped this year. Hunters can buy up to 10 wolf licenses and take up to 10 wolves, trappers also have a 10-wolf limit, and a person can fill both limits during the same season. That means a single person can legally take up to 20 wolves across hunting and trapping combined.
Regional limits can be tighter. WMUs 313 and 316 allow one wolf per unit. FWP’s earlier proposal also set a smaller regional cap in Region 3, so check your region on the FWP wolf page before you buy tags.
| Season | Hunting Limit | Trapping Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 15 wolves | 15 wolves |
| 2026-27 | 10 wolves | 10 wolves |
The 2025-26 figures come from the Commission’s decision that a person may harvest 15 wolves via trapping and 15 via hunting.
Legal Weapons and Methods for Wolf Hunting in Montana
Montana allows standard legal hunting firearms and archery equipment for wolves. The state continues to allow relatively liberal methods for wolf hunting. The FWP wolf page lists separate archery and general seasons, so your weapon choice can affect which dates apply.
For trapping, snares are a lawful method during the wolf trapping season. Traps and snares must meet FWP equipment and setting rules, and a trapper has to check traps within the required interval. FWP’s 2026 proposal included language clarifying checks on wolf traps and the presentation of unfrozen wolf pelts.
Pro Tip: Read the weapons section of the 2026 FWP Furbearer, Wolf, and Trapping regulations before you pick a rifle or bow setup. Method rules are the most common source of citations.
Hunting Wolves Over Bait, at Night and With Electronic Calls in Montana
Baiting, night hunting, and electronic calls are regulated by FWP, with different rules for hunting and trapping. The 2026 regulations include a section on baiting restrictions for hunters and trappers. Read it in full, because baiting rules differ by method and by location.
Legal shooting hours also apply. The regulations list authorized hunting hours for wolves. Do not assume you can hunt outside normal hours or use any call you like without checking the booklet.
Because these rules can change by year and by region, treat the current FWP regulation PDF as the only authority on bait, night hunting, and calls.
Wolf Trapping Season and Trapper Requirements in Montana
Trapping is its own season with its own requirements. The season runs from Nov. 30, 2026 to March 15, 2027 outside the federal court order area, and starts later inside it.
Here is what you need before you set a trap:
- Complete Montana’s one-time wolf-trapping certification course, or the Idaho course if you are a nonresident.
- Buy a trapping license that allows wolf trapping.
- Get a supplemental trapping permit where one applies. FWP’s draft regulations added a Supplemental Trapping Permit requirement to the regulation pages.
- Learn the trap and snare equipment rules for your region.
Trappers also handle collared wolves under special rules. The collar of a harvested wolf must be returned to FWP within 10 days. Trappers may release an uninjured collared wolf without prior authorization from FWP. Trapping is also tied to non-target limits. The capture of any animal that cannot be lawfully trapped, including domestic animals, must be reported to FWP within 24 hours.
Where Wolf Hunting Is Not Allowed in Montana
You cannot hunt wolves on private land without landowner permission, and you cannot hunt in national parks. Other closures exist at the unit level, including areas closed to protect other species. The 2026 regulations expanded a marten trapping closure, and FWP proposed trapping closures to help beavers establish after translocation.
Snaring has location limits. Earlier Commission rules limited snares on public land to protect other users and wildlife, and the Lynx Protection Zones restrict some trapping. Always check the booklet’s unit-level closures for your hunt area.
A closed region is also off-limits once its quota fills. That is a legal closure, not just a suggestion.
Reporting, Sealing and Tagging a Harvested Wolf in Montana
Every harvested wolf must be presented to FWP. Wolves must be presented to FWP for inspection within 10 days of harvest for pelt tagging, tissue sampling, and tooth extraction. A trapper must present the hide and skull for tagging and sampling within 10 days.
Follow these steps after a harvest:
- Report the harvest as FWP requires so quota counts stay accurate.
- Keep the hide and skull in a condition FWP can inspect.
- Bring the wolf to an FWP office or designated employee within 10 days.
- Return any collar to FWP within 10 days.
FWP’s 2026 proposal also clarified transfer of possession for wolf carcasses that are not retained.
Killing Wolves That Threaten Livestock or Pets in Montana
Montana law allows a person to kill a wolf that is attacking or threatening livestock or domestic animals under specific conditions. Those conditions, along with any reporting duty, are set in state law and FWP rules. The trapping regulations also apply to trapping regulated under Title 81 (Livestock) of the Montana Code.
If you lose livestock to wolves, contact FWP or USDA Wildlife Services. Do not assume a depredation kill is exempt from reporting. Report it promptly and let the agency document the incident.
Pro Tip: Photograph the scene and any injured animals before anything is moved, then call FWP right away.
Wolf Population and Management Status in Montana
Montana’s wolf count is under review. FWP’s estimates range from about 725 to more than 1,000 wolves, depending on the population model used. The updated model estimates fewer wolves, smaller packs and larger territories, and it is undergoing peer review.
The state has a floor it wants to stay above. FWP set a 450-wolf management baseline to avoid a federal government takeover. The quota aims to keep the statewide population above 450 with at least 15 breeding pairs.
Harvest has run below quota. Hunters and trappers harvested 264 wolves statewide in 2025, while Commission coverage put last season’s count at 247. Reports differ on that final tally, so treat FWP’s harvest page as the authority.
Where to Hunt Wolves in Montana: Public Land and Private Land
Most of the quota sits in the northwest and west. The Commission allocated the largest numbers to northwest and western Montana, with 131 wolves in Region 1 and 92 in Region 2. If you want the best chance of finding a legal harvest slot, start there.
On public land, expect national forest and state land open to general hunting, subject to unit closures. On private land, you need the owner’s permission. Landowners can also hold their own license that covers only their property.
Forest roads, Bob Marshall-area proposals, and winter access all affect your plan. Commissioner Wargo proposed extending the general season in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, but FWP opposed it over overlap with denning season. The amendment did not pass.
Best Time to Hunt Wolves in Montana
Early season, starting Sept. 5, overlaps with archery and early big game hunts, which gives you more access and more hunters in the field. Late fall and winter often improve tracking once snow arrives. Trapping peaks after Nov. 30 when pelts are in better condition.
Quota timing matters more than weather. Regions with big allocations, such as Region 1 with 131, have more room to run. Small regions can close fast, so hunt them early if you plan to hunt them at all.
If you travel to the state for several species, compare timing with the Montana deer season dates. Other Western states run similar predator seasons. The Idaho pheasant season guide is useful if you cross the border for a combined trip.
Guided Wolf Hunts in Montana
Guided wolf hunts exist, mostly in Region 1 and Region 2 where quotas are largest. A guide helps with access, tracking, and handling the tagging requirement after a harvest. Nonresidents often hire one because they do not know the terrain.
Montana requires outfitters to be licensed. Ask any outfitter for their license number, the region they operate in, and how they handle tagging and presenting the wolf to FWP. Confirm that they hunt only where the regional quota is still open.
Prices and packages vary by outfitter, so get a written quote before you book.
Wolf Hunting Season in Montana 2026-27: Frequently Asked Questions
When does wolf season open in Montana?
The 2026-27 season starts Sept. 5. Trapping outside the federal court order area opens Nov. 30, 2026.
What is the wolf quota for 2026-27?
The Commission approved a total harvest quota of 300 wolves, broken down by region.
How many wolves can I take?
Hunters can buy up to 10 wolf licenses and take up to 10 wolves. Trappers have a separate 10-wolf limit, and you can fill both.
Do I need a trapping certification?
Trapping requires completion of a mandatory one-time wolf-trapping certification course.
How fast must I present a harvested wolf?
Within 10 days of harvest, for pelt tagging, tissue sampling, and tooth extraction.
Will the rules change next year?
The regulations apply to fall 2026 and winter 2027 and will be revisited next year. Read the 2026 FWP wolf regulations PDF before each season. For more state hunting guides, see the South Dakota deer season guide.