Yellowstone Wolf 1479F Killed by Montana Hunter: Conservationists Raise Concerns

A 2‑year‑old Yellowstone wolf, known as 1479F from the Junction Butte Pack, was shot by a Montana hunter just outside the park’s boundary, reigniting debates over wolf hunting and wildlife protection in the United States. Beloved Yellowstone Wolf Killed Near Park Border Wolf 1479F, a female tracked by researchers and admired by Yellowstone National Park visitors, was killed on September 17 in Wolf Management Unit (WMU) 316, only two days after Montana’s general hunting season opened. According to park spokeswoman Linda Veress, the National Park Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) confirmed the wolf’s death through her radio collar when the hunter checked in the kill, as required by state hunting regulations. Protected Inside Yellowstone, Vulnerable Outside While wolves inside Yellowstone are fully protected, those that cross into Montana face legal hunting. This has long been a source of controversy, as research wolves like 1479F—collared as a pup in February 2024—often roam beyond the invisible park boundary. Montana has set a quota of three wolves for WMU 316 this season, with the same limit in neighboring WMU 313, both located just north of Yellowstone. As of Wednesday morning, only one wolf had been harvested in these units—1479F. Conservation Groups React Wildlife advocates expressed outrage at the killing. Wyoming Untrapped, a group campaigning for trapping reform, wrote on Facebook: “Her death reminds us of the cruel truth: imaginary lines determine the fate of our wildlife. Inside Yellowstone, wolves are protected, admired, and valued. But the moment 1479F stepped across the park’s invisible boundary, she lost all protection.” Local wildlife technician Taylor Rabe, based in Gardiner, Montana, also shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, describing the emotional toll of losing a wolf she had observed for years: “What’s the worst part of spending thousands of hours watching wolves? Losing one that you’ve come to know and love… I am allowed to have a heavy heart, and mourn the loss of an animal that brought me so much joy over the years.” Wolf Hunting Quotas in Montana The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission establishes wolf quotas to manage populations. For the 2025 season, the statewide quota is 452 wolves. As of Wednesday, 10 wolves had been harvested across Montana. Officials argue that controlled hunting helps regulate wolf numbers and reduce conflicts with livestock, but conservationists counter that the loss of Yellowstone’s collared wolves undermines years of research and damages the park’s ecosystem. A Growing Debate Over Wolf Management The death of Wolf 1479F highlights the ongoing tension between wildlife conservation and hunting rights in the United States. For many, the incident underscores the fragile balance between protecting Yellowstone’s iconic wolves and managing populations in surrounding states.