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Trap Free Montana

@trapfreemt

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Connecting hearts and minds through science, truths in trapping, and compassion for wildlife biodiversity, coexistence, and responsible stewardship.

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MONTANA WOLF ADVOCATES DON’T BE FOOLED! 🐺

The Idaho-based Foundation for Wildlife Management (F4WM) pays $1,000–$2,000 bounties for dead wolves and claims to have helped kill 3,049+ wolves in Montana and Idaho using $3.2 million in donations and sponsorships.

Now they have a Montana license plate and of a wolf, despite the fact they are and Idaho organization! Don’t unknowingly fund wolf-killing bounties because you love wolves by buying this deceptive license plate!

F4WM has been running a very lucrative sham based on emotions and fallacies, i.e. "Save the Elk", "Wolves are Decimating all the Elk, and other nonsense that one too many fall for.

🐺 Question the claims. 🐺 Demand science-based wildlife management. 🐺 Montanans, DON’T BUY THIS PLATE!

Protect wolves. Expose the myths. PLEASE SHARE!

#WolvesBelong #RespectWildlife TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

16

2

an hour ago

The future of wolves is at stake, and a massive day in court is coming up. 🐺

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:30 AM, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Missoula, Montana, will hear three critical wolf conservation cases.

Here is what is on the line:
⚖️ Case 1 (Mexican Gray Wolves): Fighting a ruling that designates this highly endangered population (fewer than 400 in the wild) as "nonessential."
⚖️ Case 2 (Northern Rockies Wolves): USFWS is appealing a district court victory won by law firms, such as Western Environmental Law Center (WELC), representing Trap Free Montana and partners, that ordered the feds to use the best available science on regional protections.
⚖️ Case 3 (Contiguous U.S. Wolves): USFWS is appealing a separate ruling that restored vital Endangered Species Act protections for wolves outside the Northern Rockies.

These hearings carry massive implications for the future of federal wildlife protections and wolf recovery.

Show your support!
📍 Pack the Courthouse:
Russell E. Smith Federal Courthouse
201 E. Broadway St., Room 300
Missoula, Montana

💻 Can’t make it to Missoula?
Watch the live broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFUJrpU91EI

#respectwildlife #wolves #9thCircuit #defendthepack #RelistWolves #science #ESA #TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

21

0

7 days ago

The pattern continues against carnivores, omnivores, even the betterment for all wildlife, and all of us who recreate on our public lands in Montana. The 9/24/26 FWP special meeting is proof.

Trap Free Montana's suggested amendment from the 24-hour petition to, instead, daily trap checks and with visual checks permitted, were ignored.

Trap Free Montana's suggestion carrying bear spray be mandatory for anyone recreating in or near occupied grizzly habitat was ignored.

And the worst of all, a predator management policy, was approved. As Trap Free Montana included in our testimony, the name itself is telling.
"Predator" Management has become synonymous with killing.

This is designed to worsen in the 2027 Montana legislative session which begins in January. They already have a place holder for the a predator management policy.

Be sure to find out the candidates position on wildlife, especially wolves, lions, bears and trapping.
Vote accordingly!

Thank you to all who submitted pro-wildlife comments and the excellent comments stated during the meeting! by @trapfreemt

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8

20 days ago

ACTION ALERT! Montana FWP is holding a special public meeting over zoom now on Sept 24 at 1pm for three proposed administrative rule making processes.

- Mandatory 24-hour trap checks on public lands.
Would help end the legalized prolonged and indiscriminate suffering of the trapped on public lands.

- Bear spray requirement for hunting and trapping.
Would save bears and human lives.

- Predator Management policy.
Commissioner Wargo, Region 1, continues to be bound and determined to kill more wolves, lions, and bears.

You have two ways to provide comment, written online and/or verbally over zoom. You can provide comment on any and all of the 3.
To provide written public comment online, scroll down and click on each item to then submit comment on each one in your own words.

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT online: Sept 18.
https://fwp.mt.gov/.../com.../september-2026-special-meeting

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO SPEAK OVER ZOOM: 5 p.m. on September 23, 2026.
https://myfwp.mt.gov/.../fwpvirtualcommissionmeeting09242026

Email us at Trap Free Montana: info@trapfreemt.org or message us with questions.

Thank you!

#respectwildlife #StopTrapping #coexist #wolves #mountainlions
#blackbear #grizzly #TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

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9

a month ago

She's up, Billings, the most populated city in Montana and in time to remind voters that wildlife really need them this November, and to hold elected officials accountable for the plight of our wildlife!

This billboard features a wolverine, wolf, and grizzly, each facing significant risk of harm for their future, including trapping and snaring, all due to political motivations. This is despite two are on the ESA list, and as we fight for protections for the third.

For the past eight years, Trap Free Montana's statewide billboard campaign has exposed the hidden and indiscriminate disturbing realities of trapping, advanced the need for respectful coexistence with wildlife, and for protections for threatened and endangered species.

It all began over a decade ago, with the question to us, "Trapping? What, they are still trapping?" We pledged we would never hear that again. Thanks in large part of the high exposure from all our billboards across Montana, the populace has grown in their knowledge, disdain, and opposition to trapping.

Thank you to all our Trap Free Montana supporters, big and small, who make this ongoing vital project of ours, possible!

If you want to see your tax-deductible donations at work, please donate!
https://trapfreemt.org/donate/

Note, the billboard sponsor link is not operable at the moment, but incoming donations will be earmarked for this billboard unless we are told differently.

#StopTrapping #respectwildlife #endthesufferinng #truthsintrapping #coexist #wolverine #wolves #grizzly #TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

117

6

a month ago

While many of us somberly and painfully remembered 9/11, and held our loved ones a little closer, someone else claimed Montana's first known wolf casualty of the 2026 killing season, with a bow and arrow on 9/11/26, in Region 3. The hunting district has not been provided.

Why? Because they could.

Did the shooter bait the wolf? Perhaps.
Was he shot at night with night vision, thermal, or infrared?
Was he alone, a disperser, pup, pack member, a mate?
Will the killer collect a $1,000 or $1,500 bounty?

Were any other wolves shot and injured as commonly happens in archery?

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission approved shooters and trappers destroying another 299 wolves during this 6-month long season ending March 15, 2027. FWP recommended 250 wolves.

Why? Because they can, and a small, empowered minority want to kill wolves.

This, despite FWP recent reporting, there could be only 618 wolves remaining in Montana; guesstimating ~ 725, but still 400 less wolves than they adamantly claimed and defended for years.

Please support Trap Free Montana and Help us end the war declared on wolves in our state.

*Image is not of said wolf.

#RelistWolves #endthesufferinng #wolves #TrapFreeMT #Montana #respectwildlife by @trapfreemt

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21

a month ago

Thank you for everything, Dolly.
We will always love you.
1/19/1946 - 8/25/2026 by @trapfreemt

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0

2 months ago

Despite the warnings, Montana FW Commission voted to kill more wolves, starting next month, rather than less.

Recently, a new software was tweaked from a flawed estimated population model, IPOM. This one is referred to as IPOM2.0 and the Montana wolf population is estimated at least 34% less. Instead of the years of proclamation that Montana's wolf population is stable and around 1,100, this new model guesstimates there are between only 618-836 wolves left in our state. The point is, they do not know, but we have suspected there are far less wolves for years.

The Commission voted to increase the FWP 250-quota proposal to 300 wolves and divvy them up in Regions with quotas higher than past kills. The exception, Region 3, will have a 33-wolf quota, where it is easy to shoot wolves.

Two genuine victories were achieved: both units 313 and 316, bordering Yellowstone, were restored to a quota of just one wolf each.

In addition to the 300-wolf quota, forgotten were an average of 55 additional documented wolves who die each year due to poaching, vehicle and train collisions, incidental deaths, natural causes, unknown factors, landowner actions, and for livestock.

If a quota of 300 is hit plus the average 55, that would be a 49% reduction and leave ~ 370 wolves left, falling below the arbitrary 450 floor, some believe is the ceiling, for Montana’s wolf management goal.

If the average known mortalities combined over the last 5-years of 272 wolves reported shot/trapped and 55 killed from other causes that results in 327 wolves dead from the population, that is still 45% of the new IPOM2 estimated average, ~ 725 wolves.

The scientific consensus warns that reducing the wolf population by more than 29% jeopardizes their long-term survival, underscoring the urgent need for more responsible management practices.

#wolves #RelistWolves #Montana #TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

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1

2 months ago

Another amendment for the Montana FW Commission meeting on August 19.

Region 1 Commissioner Ian Wargo wants to maintain Region 1 bobcat quota at 200 instead of the FWP proposed 175.

OPPOSE
According to the actual wildlife biologists, Region 1 bobcats have been declining for years. No doubt, bobcats have not recovered from the high kills by trappers over the previous years. However, trapping is market driven and bobcat pelts are up!

Public comment can only be given during the meeting.

To learn more go to https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/august-2026-meeting
Scroll down and click on Wargo's Amendments.

Trap Free Montana is pleased to say FWP does not support any of Wargo's 3 amendments. by @trapfreemt

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5

2 months ago

As Trap Free Montana expected, anti-wolf and "furbearer" amendments, arrived Friday and just days before the Montana FW Commission August 19th, public meeting to set 2026/2027 regulations.

Here is 1 of 3 from none other than Commissioner Ian Wargo in NW Montana.

Public comment on the amendments will be taken during the meeting.

To learn more about the amendments, see Wargo's Amendments under: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/august-2026-meeting

If you want to give verbal comment over ZOOM, you must register by noon mst on August 18: https://myfwp.mt.gov/.../fishandwildlifecommission08192026

Here's is Commissioner Ian Wargo's contact information if you want to respectfully voice your opposition. Montanans, be sure to let him know that you are one!
Email: CommissionerRegion1@mtfwp.org
406-438-1714

For the other Commissioners contact info: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/members

Trap Free is pleased to say FWP did not support any of the 3 amendments.

Thank you!
From your friends at Trap Free Montana
#Respectwildlife #Bobcats #wolves #coexist #TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

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9

2 months ago

ACTION ALERT: Trap setback removals agenda continues in Montana! FWP and F&W Commissioners need to hear from you now! Trappers are in the drivers seat and the public, their children, and pets eat dust or get run over. PUBLIC COMMENT RUNS THROUGH WEDNESDAY, AUG 12.
SETBACKS
"NO SETBACKS REQUIRED FOR TRAPPING Region 1 - ALL ROADS AND TRAILS within Sanders and Lincoln Counties unless identified as an expanded setback or within a designated trapping closure or setbacks zone."

In Montana, for Roads and Trails trap setbacks are currently, 50’ from the edge, unless wolf trap sets, then 150'.

If this proposal passes, trap setbacks are removed, then baited and lured massive injurious leghold traps, deadly strangling snares, and body crushing conibears can be secreted directly ON and right next to public roads and trails. No signage, flagging, warnings are required. Trapping is also legal year-round in our state!

This proposal aims to eliminate the road and trail setbacks for a minuscule 0.3% of Montanans who trap and want to trap and kill more easily right along these trails and roads that wildlife especially like to use in the winter. Their major target? Wolves.

First Sanders county, then Ravalli county, last year Mineral county, now Lincoln County public roads and trails trap setbacks are on the chopping block. The trappers and the Commissioner allies are increasing seizing more while taking more away from us-- our public safety and right to recreate on our public lands.

Public comment runs through WED, AUGUST 12.

SCROLL DOWN on this link
https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/august-2026-meeting
to:
Fall 2026 Winter 2027 Wolf and Furbearer.
CLICK on it and a list of proposals appear. Below them is the comment box for you to state you OPPOSE any and all TRAP SETBACK REMOVALS. Simple as that.

Thank you!
#dogs #endthesuffering #stoptrapping by @trapfreemt

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0

2 months ago

Another billboard by Trap Free Montana is going up soon, featuring wolverine, gray wolf, and grizzly. This design is to amplify to the public the fate of rare and threatened wildlife in Montana is being determined by politics, not by the best available science.

This politicization places these vulnerable creatures in jeopardy, making their struggle for existence all the more daunting and urgent.

So far, in the last 8 years, we have had, or have, billboards along major highways in Montana increasing public awareness against trapping and the plight of wildlife in Helena, Gallatin Gateway, E. Helena, Great Falls, Clancy, Florence, Havre, Basin, Cut Bank, Deer Lodge, Ramsey, Glendive, Cardwell, Red Lodge, and W. Yellowstone. We love hearing from you when you have spotted one.

Trap Free Montana's highly educational project owes its success to the dedication and generosity of our incredible supporters.

Please help us continue our billboard campaign by making a tax-deductible donation or committing to be a monthly donor.
https://trapfreemt.org/donate/

Thank you from your friends at Trap Free Montana.

#stoptrapping #respectwildlife #coexist #endthesuffering #TrapFreeMT by @trapfreemt

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2

3 months ago