July 19, 2025 – Elk County, Montana
A gray wolf is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation center after being rescued from an illegal trap by a local farmer near Redridge Plains, just outside the town of Millstone in Elk County.
The incident occurred late Monday afternoon when 48-year-old John Madsen, a cattle rancher from Millstone, was checking his pasture fences on the southern edge of his property. Madsen noticed a commotion in a nearby field and found a full-grown wolf caught in a steel-jaw leg trap.
“It was whimpering and thrashing around, trying to get free,” Madsen told reporters. “At first, I was startled, but then I could see it was in real pain. I couldn’t just walk away.”
Madsen immediately contacted Elk County Wildlife Services and stayed with the animal until help arrived. Following instructions from a wildlife officer over the phone, he cautiously covered the wolf with a tarp to help calm it and used a fence post to secure the trap open slightly, relieving pressure on the animal’s leg.
Wildlife officers arrived within 30 minutes and were able to fully free the wolf. It was sedated on-site and transported to the Big Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Bozeman.
Dr. Emily Carver, a veterinarian at the center, confirmed that the wolf suffered a deep laceration and mild tissue damage to its front leg but is expected to recover fully.
“It was very fortunate someone found the animal when they did. These traps can cause permanent damage if left unchecked,” Dr. Carver said.
Authorities believe the trap was illegally placed. Montana law prohibits the use of steel-jaw traps on private land without permits, and officials have launched an investigation into who set it.
Wildlife Officer Daniel Hoyt of Elk County Game and Fish urged residents to report any suspicious trapping activity: “This wolf was lucky — many aren’t. We’re working to hold whoever’s responsible accountable.”
Once the wolf has fully healed, it is expected to be released back into the wild in a designated protected zone near the Absaroka Range.
