Population Estimates

Wolves are now well-established in Montana.

As of 2024, Montana’s wolf population was estimated at approximately 1,100 wolves. FWP aims to balance wolf distribution and densities with the diverse needs of the public and private landowners, and the various land uses in Montana.

Legal hunting and trapping harvest are the leading cause of mortality for wolves in Montana, followed by agency control efforts. Montana has maintained a harvest of 166 to 327 wolves annually.

To be cautious in maintaining delisted status and state management of wolves, FWP uses 450 wolves as the population benchmark to ensure the population maintains at least 15 breeding pairs, which also surpasses the federal minimum requirement. This is not FWP’s declared population target.