Wolves & Big Game
Elk photo.

The primary prey species for wolves in Montana are deer, elk, and moose. As a keystone species, wolves have the potential to influence big game populations and their habitats. This may affect big game hunting. Monitoring of both wolf and big game populations will be important.

Field Studies and Research

Deer, elk and a wolf.

The Elk-Wolf Interactions final report presents results from collaborative, long-term research efforts to understand the impacts of wolves on big game populations and behavior. The report contains two sections. The first section summarizes intensive research efforts in the Greater Yellowstone Area and southwest Montana, with a primary focus on wolf-elk interactions. The second section summarizes more extensive FWP data collection and monitoring efforts from the entire range of wolves in Montana.