Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks ordered the closure of the state’s wolf hunt at a half-hour past sunset today as the statewide quota of 75 wolves was being approached.

The Monday, Nov. 16, closure came as hunter reports hit 72 wolves as of Sunday evening.

Thirty-eight of the quota of 41 wolves had been taken in Unit 1 and 21 of 22 in WMU 2.  WMU 3 was closed on October 26, 2009, the quota of 12 wolves was exceeded by 1 in the unit.

“The wolf hunt was a success in WMU1,” said FWP Wildlife Manager Jim Williams.  “Now that we are so close to both the regional and statewide quotas, FWP and the FWP Commission have acted to close the wolf hunt for this year.”

Williams added that hunters had success in taking wolves across northwest Montana.  He said that hunters have welcomed the new opportunity to pursue this animal along with other game animals.

For more information, visit FWP’s web site at fwp.mt.gov click "Montana Wolf Hunt,"or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.