The new rules shorten the wolf trapping season to just Jan. 1 to Feb. 15, a time when most grizzly bears are hibernating in their dens and not in danger of becoming caught in a trap.
Board members of the Montana Wildlife Federation write, "Grizzlies should not be delisted because these politicians have shown us that if they were in charge of grizzlies, they would do to grizzlies what they are currently trying to do to wolves."
Missoula federal district judge Donald Molloy announced that he would not consider a summary judgment ruling on whether the state of Montana was harming grizzly bears by allowing wolf trapping in areas where bears could be moving.
KC York writes, "Under Montana's current trapping regulations, unlimited snares, massive leghold traps, and body crushing conibears can be set, baited, secreted, and left unattended."
Montana’s trapping season for wolves was set to open on Monday in many areas, but it’s now on hold in much of the state, after a federal judge’s order.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks must cut its wolf trapping season back to six weeks across the western two-thirds of the state to prevent injuries to grizzly bears.
A Montana federal judge promised a quick decision on whether the state's floating trapping season start date should be delayed due to increased grizzly bear activity.