Montana Senate Rejects Unlimited Wolf Hunting Bill Amid Controversy

In Montana, the Senate voted on three wolf-hunting bills, with House Bill 176 aiming to remove limits on wolf hunting being defeated unexpectedly by a 23-27 vote, despite having passed earlier. The defeat was attributed to a shift in votes among seven Republican senators over the weekend. The bill's failure came after concerns were raised about its implications for federal wildlife protections, with warnings from opponents about the potential for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider the state’s management of wolves. Meanwhile, two additional bills related to wolf hunting were passed but sent back to the House due to amendments. Concurrently, federal efforts are underway to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act, with hearings on related legislation highlighting the species' recovery and calls for state management. Supporters argue that the wolf population has exceeded recovery goals, while opponents express concern over wildlife management and ecological impacts.