HELENA, Mont. (AP) — State wildlife commissioners planning to set a quota for Montana\’s 2009 wolf hunt will take public comment on a proposal that the figure fall between 26 and 165.

Commissioners supported that range on Thursday and plan to set the quota when they meet in Helena on July 9. Public comment will be taken through June 19.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks says the state had about 500 wolves at the end of 2008.

Federal Endangered Species Act protection for Northern Rockies gray wolves in Montana and Idaho ended recently, but continues in Wyoming.