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Dear Friend,
We know the horror of our current political reality can be overwhelming, but we cannot give in to the darkness. Thankfully, we are still seeing evidence that, when enough people speak out, we can stop certain bad things. And right now wolves in Montana need us to take a minute or two to speak out on their behalf.
Please tell Montana NO to the killing of up to 500 additional wolves by sending them a comment by COB Monday, August 4. (You don't have to be from Montana to submit a comment. See comment steps & sample letter below.)
About Montana's Proposed Regulations
The despicable new wolf hunting regulations being proposed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks could allow a 50 percent increase in wolf killings next season, which is nearly half the state’s entire wolf population. (There is also the strong likelihood that they are overstating their current wolf population and there are only around 700 wolves in the state, which would mean this slaughter even more heinous and dangerous, bringing the population down to around 200.) Montana is also pushing expanded hunting and trapping rules, including allowing hunters to kill up to 30 wolves per person.
Montana's proposal comes despite their livestock losses remaining near historic lows--only 35 confirmed cattle deaths in 2024 and a significant drop in the number of wolves killed due to livestock conflicts. Meanwhile their revenue from wolf hunting licenses is among the lowest ever recorded, so their proposal is almost certainly about blood lust, politics and profit.
We must do everything we can to let them know why the vast majority of Americans loathe their plan and will boycott them if they do not change course. They also need to hear how what they are doing is unnecessary and counter-productive.
How to Speak Out: Quick Steps & Sample Letter
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote on this proposal at its next meeting on August 21. Comments may be made in person at that meeting or via Zoom (details). Written comments for the public record should be submitted now, as they are only allowed through Monday, Aug. 4. Here's how to submit a written comment:
- Go to their meeting and public comment page at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/august-2025-meeting
- Scroll down near the end to where it reads “Fall 2025–Winter 2026 Furbearer and Wolf Trapping and Hunting Seasons and Quotas.”
- Click on the arrow and you'll find a form pops up that allows you to submit a message to Montana commissioners.
- Feel free to copy and paste our sample letter below or edit it and add your own words. Thank you for speaking for wolves!
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Dear Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission,
I’m writing to ask you to please reconsider your proposal to allow the killing of up to 500 wolves. This proposal defies sound economics, science, common sense, and public sentiment. I believe it would greatly benefit Montana to take a renewed look at wolves and the benefits they provide.
Wolves can save Montana’s wildlife from a 100% fatal condition--chronic wasting disease (CWD), an ultra-lethal degenerative neurological illness similar to mad cow disease infecting elk, deer, and moose. Currently, no known vaccine exists and CWD is on the rise in Montana. While human hunters only remove sick deer randomly; a healthy wolf population actively seeks out the infirm. Because wolves are not susceptible to the disease and can safely consume prey infected with CWD, they effectively remove the infectious agents from the environment, reducing transmission to healthy deer, elk, etc. Even former Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commissioner Gary Wolfe said halting recreational hunting of large predators like wolves in areas with emerging CWD outbreaks could curb the disease.
Thriving wolf populations boost local economies through ecotourism, but killing wolves damages Montana's public image, sending a clear signal to potential tourists that the state does not respect wildlife. Wolves’ reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park alone has pumped over $80 million a year into gateway communities. Yet currently, no wolf in Yellowstone is safe, as they can be killed the moment they cross the invisible park boundary line into the neighboring states like Montana.
The plan to increase Montana’s wolf slaughter comes at a time when livestock losses remain near historic lows. Meanwhile, data shows that less than a fraction of one percent of livestock deaths are caused by wolves; most livestock losses are caused by weather and disease.
Montana could benefit from understanding that killing wolves is counter-productive. It destabilizes their social structures, which makes future conflicts with livestock more likely and increases unnecessary slaughter. Hunters could benefit from understanding that wolves are friends, not foes. They take out the sick, old and genetically inferior animals, while hunters only try to kill the largest and healthiest trophy animals. Wolves also keep elk and deer on the move, which keeps prey species and plant life in balance. In other words, wolves provide tremendous benefits.
Equally worthy of consideration are the facts that wolf populations are self-regulating and effective nonlethal control measures abound. All factors combine to show that killing wolves is unnecessary and undesirable.
Please protect Montana’s gray wolves and their benefits for future generations. Please say no to the proposed wolf trapping and hunting seasons and quotas.
Thank you.
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