Challenging Flawed Wolf Counts in Montana:

For more than a year, we have been a part of a coalition of groups that are challenging the accuracy of the integrated patch occupancy model (iPOM) method used by Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to count wolves. It has been demonstrated that iPOM relies on bad data provided by ‘sportsmen’ who want to kill wolves and also overestimates the number of wolves present in Montana. Stay tuned.


Victory! Federal Court Overturns U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Decision
Denying Protections for Wolves in the Northern Rockies:

In 2021, Footloose Montana and partner organizations petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to protect Western gray wolves amid a state-organized campaign of mass killing. After the FWS rejected that petition in February 2024, the Center for a Humane Economy, Greenfire Law PC, and Morrison Sherwood Wilson Deola PLLP filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of our three plaintiff coalitions and with our co-founder Dr. Anja Heister as a declarant. Judge Molloy rejected FWS’s rationale for refusing to relist wolves and ordered the federal agency to revisit and correct their flawed findings. Without this win, there would have been no hope for relisting wolves under the ESA. Even though Montana/FWP is currently allowing hunters and trappers to kill 258 wolves (without a deadline), we are encouraged by the court’s ruling and will continue to fight for the protection of wolves under the ESA.
Read the Press Release HERE.

2024

Idaho Case End Trapping and Snaring of Wolves in Grizzly Bear Habitat:

Finally, a win for grizzlies, wolves and other victims of traps and snares set for wolves! In December 2021, Earthjustice filed a lawsuit on behalf of Footloose Montana and our partner organizations against Idaho’s aggressive 2021 wolf killing regulations that will also lead to injuries and death of ESA protected grizzlies and Canada lynx. This court ruling will stop trapping and snaring of wolves in Idaho’s Panhandle, Clearwater, Salmon, and Upper Snake regions between March 1 and November 30 on public and private lands to prevent the illegal harming and killing of Endangered Species Act- protected grizzly bears.
Read the Press Release HERE.

2023

Victory for Wolverines:

After more than 20 years of dedicated advocacy and legal challenges, Wolverines are finally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Right from the start, Footloose Montana has been a partner in a coalition of wildlife protection organizations led by Matt Bishop with the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC). Wolverines are snow- dependent for survival and they have suffered major impacts from climate change, habitat loss and other human-caused pressures. Despite the fact that there are only an estimated 250-300 individuals left in the contiguous U.S., Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) continued to allow trapping of wolverines struggling for survival. However, as of November 2023, we can now celebrate that, with ESA protection in place, these iconic and beautiful animals have a chance to recover and thrive in the wild.
Read WELC’s press release HERE.

Photo Credit: Kalon Baughan