Wolves of the Rockies

06/13/2026

Some good news. For many years, the drive east on Interstate 90 to Helena for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks meetings, Environmental Quality Council hearings, and legislative sessions has taken us through some of Montana's most beautiful country, especially around the Drummond area. Unfortunately, that same stretch of highway has long been a dangerous crossing point for elk, deer, and other wildlife forced to navigate four lanes of high-speed traffic. Over the years, we have witnessed far too many animals that did not survive the journey. That is why it is encouraging to see the Montana Department of Transportation taking action by installing high fencing in key areas where large elk herds regularly cross I-90. These projects not only help keep wildlife off the highway, but also incorporate wildlife escape ramps that allow animals that find themselves trapped inside the fenced corridor to safely exit the roadway while preventing them from re-entering. This effort helps protect wildlife while also improving safety for motorists. It demonstrates that we can work with wildlife rather than against it and find practical solutions that benefit both people and animals. Kudos to the Montana Department of Transportation for leading by example. Even more encouraging, there is growing momentum across Montana to build additional wildlife overpasses and underpasses that will further reduce collisions and reconnect important migration routes. Positive change is coming, and with persistence and public support, we can continue making Montana safer for both wildlife and people.🐺🐾🐾🐺

06/12/2026

From the wildlife watching, outdoor recreation, and carnivore conservation communities, it was a good day for 22 Montana's mountain lions.
Thanks in part to the efforts of the non-hunting public, wildlife watchers, and those who support science-based carnivore management, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission reduced the proposed mountain lion harvest quota from 210 lions to 188 lions. As a result, approximately 22 mountain lions were granted another year of life.
The discussion and questions during the meeting also reinforced a concern we have raised for some time: despite the best efforts of FWP staff, significant uncertainty remains regarding exactly how many mountain lions exist across Montana. The conversation highlighted the challenges of managing a wide-ranging and elusive carnivore and the importance of continuing to improve population monitoring and management decisions based on the best available science.
We were pleased that both amendments passed, reducing the overall quota and preserving those 22 lions. We are also encouraged that Commissioner Susan Kirby Brooke's amendment, which seeks to move mountain lion management toward a more science-based and data-driven approach, remains alive and will return for further consideration next year.
One disappointment was the adoption of an amendment affecting Region 7, where some commissioners believe lion numbers are higher than current FWP estimates suggest, potentially leading to additional harvest pressure in that region.
Most importantly, we want to thank our supporters and followers. Your support allowed us to be in the room and involved in the conversations—both on and off the record—help ensure that the voices of wildlife watchers, conservationists, and those who value living carnivores are heard. We could not do this without your support. 🐺🐾🐺🐾

06/11/2026

We completely agree that people should never abandon unwanted pets in the wild. Doing so often leads to unnecessary pain, suffering, and death for animals that are not equipped to survive on their own. Fortunately, there are animal rescues, shelters, and organizations willing to help, so please seek assistance rather than releasing a pet into the wild. One statement in this program says, "Most pets released to the wild do not survive, and many suffer before they die." We agree with that concern. However, it also raises an important question: if suffering matters for domestic animals, shouldn't it matter for wildlife as well? Why do we recognize the pain and distress experienced by abandoned pets while continuing to allow practices such as trapping, snaring, and poisoning that can also cause suffering to wild animals? Wildlife feels pain, fear, and stress too, and that reality deserves thoughtful consideration in how we manage and treat the animals that share our landscapes.🐾🐺🐾🐺

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

Did You Know? Wolves Feed More Than Just Themselves.
"Did you know." When a wolf pack brings down an elk, deer, or moose, the meal doesn't end with the wolves. In fact, a single wolf kill can provide food for dozens of wildlife species. Ravens, magpies, bald eagles, golden eagles, foxes, coyotes, grizzly bears, black bears, martens, and many other animals rely on these carcasses, especially during the difficult winter months when food is scarce. Even after the larger scavengers have finished feeding, smaller mammals, insects, and microorganisms continue recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Studies in Yellowstone have shown that wolves help support healthy scavenger populations by providing a dependable source of food throughout the winter. Wolves are not just predators—they are providers that help sustain an entire community of wildlife across the Rocky Mountains.
Bottom Line: When wolves eat, dozens of other species eat too. Healthy ecosystems evolved with wolves, and many wildlife species benefit from their presence. Nothing goes to waste.

06/09/2026

Wildlife is worth far more alive than dead. A wolf pelt may bring around $230, a grizzly bear hide $596, a beaver pelt $30, a red fox $27, and a raccoon just $10 at a fur auction—but these prices represent only a small snapshot from one of many fur auctions held across North America. The ecological value of these animals, however, cannot be measured in auction catalogs or dollar amounts. Wolves help regulate prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance, beavers create wetlands that store water and provide habitat for countless species, while grizzly bears, foxes, raccoons, and other wildlife contribute to nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, scavenging, and overall ecosystem health. Most of these animals are not harvested for food; they are killed primarily for their fur or as trophies, reducing living, functioning wildlife to a short-term commodity worth a few dollars. The real question is not what a pelt brings at auction, but what is lost when that animal is removed from the landscape. Once a hide is sold, its value is gone forever. The ecological benefits of a living animal continue for years, benefiting wildlife, ecosystems, and future generations alike. Who you vote for matters. 🐺🐾🐺🐾

06/08/2026

Bottom Line:
Don't believe the myth that wolf populations grow unchecked. Nature has its own ways of regulating wildlife, and disease is often one of the most powerful forces affecting wolf populations across the Rocky Mountains. In recent years, canine distemper contributed to the deaths of many Yellowstone wolf pups, demonstrating that disease can significantly reduce wolf numbers and naturally influence population growth long before hunting, trapping, or other human-caused mortality are considered.🐺🐾🐺🐾

06/06/2026

"Thank you to all of our supporters and followers for standing with wolves and wildlife. We encourage everyone to get outside, explore the great outdoors, and enjoy the incredible wildlife that makes the Rocky Mountains such a special place." 🐾🐺🐾🐺

06/04/2026

Some Montana outfitters and anti-wolf advocates claim wolves are wiping out Montana's moose populations. Don't believe the lies—here's what the science actually says. Montana's moose populations have been declining for years, but the science points to a complex combination of factors rather than a single predator. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' long-term moose research has identified winter ticks, parasites, habitat changes, weather, nutrition, and other environmental stressors as significant contributors to moose declines. Winter ticks are particularly concerning because a single moose can carry tens of thousands of ticks, leading to blood loss, hair loss, weakened body condition, reduced reproduction, and sometimes death—especially among calves. Researchers have also found that warmer winters and changing climate conditions can increase tick survival and infestation rates, placing additional stress on already vulnerable moose populations.
While wolves, bears, mountain lions, and other large carnivores do prey on moose, there is no scientific evidence that predators are the primary driver of Montana's long-term moose decline. In fact, Montana's own research has focused heavily on parasites, habitat quality, weather, and nutrition because these factors can affect entire moose populations at once. Predators often remove animals that are already weakened by disease, parasites, age, or poor condition. The available science shows that blaming wolves alone oversimplifies a much larger problem. Moose declines in Montana are best explained by multiple interacting factors, with winter ticks and environmental conditions playing a documented and important role. 🐺🐾🐺🐾

06/03/2026

Our friend and hunter, Dave Stalling, has produced another thought-provoking article examining wildlife management, science-based decision-making, and what some see as the illusion of science-based wildlife management. When you have a few minutes—and honestly, that's all it will take—we encourage you to read Dave's latest article and let us know what you think. Do you agree with his perspective? If not, why?
We believe Dave's articles, which draw on both historical and current wildlife management issues, are likely to ruffle a few feathers within the hunting community. Why? Because Dave brings a unique perspective. Unlike many of us who do not hunt, Dave is a hunter himself. That makes it much harder to dismiss his observations with the familiar response of, "What do you know? You don't hunt."
As Dave continues to explore difficult topics and challenge long-held assumptions, myths, half-truths, and misinformation that often circulate through podcasts, social media, and other outlets, we suspect he may face some of the same criticism that has been directed at us over the years. Whether you agree with him or not, we encourage you to read the article with an open mind. Take a close look at the facts and arguments he presents, and see if you can identify any flaws in his reasoning. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

by David Stalling