Hunters have killed 36 out of the quota of 75 wolves in Montana so far this season.

The first hunter to kill a wolf in Northwestern Montana says it was a once in a lifetime hunt. On opening day Jay Madsen rode his horse into the Whitefish Range near Olney at about 4:30 in the morning.

Before noon he spotted the wolf on the other side of the meadow. The female gray wolf was about 80 to 90 pounds.

"I'm glad we finally got a season for them, and you know they're beautiful animals, and I don't any issues with seeing them, but I think everything needs to be kept in check and the hunting season is good for them," said Jay Madsen.

Madsen says he may also appear in National Geographic because a writer interviewed him when he brought the wolf in to the check station.