• Tom Kuglin
• Mar 1, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago
• https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-senate-passes-wolf-bills/article_c63eb5d2-6760-5e33-80c8-bd66b741bb01.html?fbclid=IwAR3soWE1Rl7CzkbiQO4dWLHLrjfC2rwtGN-iIAPosQFIdKuN0Cs4bZsM03Q#tracking-source=home-the-latest

Montana Senate Republicans approvedtwo bills Monday aimed at increasing the hunting and trapping of wolves.

The Senate voted along nearly party lines with Republican support and Democratic opposition to advanceSenate Bill 267andSenate Bill 314from Sen. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls. SB 267 would allow reimbursement payments to wolf hunters or trappers who successfully harvest a wolf. SB 314 directs Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to consider more aggressive actions in an effort to bring down wolf populations in some areas of the state.

SB 267 has been characterized as a “bounty bill” by critics for allowing payment directly for the taking of a wolf.

Brown said on the Senate Floor on Monday that the bill did not use public funds or make changes to regulations or bag limits, but would allow…