5 Wolves Per Person Next Hunting Season in Montana

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Fish and Wildlife commissioners have increased the bag limit to five wolves per person for the state's next hunting and trapping season. But the commission Wednesday set a quota of seven wolves and a limit of one wolf per person just north of Yellowstone National Park after park administrators expressed concern about the looser regulations.

Commission chairman Dan Vermillion says the limits ensure no long-term threat to Yellowstone's wolf population. A limit of two wolves was set in one area west of Glacier National Park. There is no statewide quota. The commission also approved a longer rifle season that runs from Sept. 15 to March 15. The trapping season will run from Dec. 15 through Feb. 28. Montana's wolf population was estimated at 625 at the end of 2012.