The higher quota is not meant to reduce wolf numbers, but to strike a better balance with competing interests, said Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim.

Aasheim added that the issue was "a lot bigger than just outfitters," with individual hunters also worried about fewer elk. Likewise, livestock producers are concerned about wolf attacks on cattle and sheep, he said.

"Our guys are saying we could take a few more (wolves) and get down to a better balance with elk and other species," he said.

Marc Cooke with the advocacy group Wolves of the Rockies said he's urging officials to drop their plans to up the quota in the 60-square mile hunting district around Gardiner.

"It's kind of ridiculous that they would consider bumping it up to six, considering it's such a small amount of land," Cooke said. "These Yellowstone wolves and these people who go to Yellowstone to watch wildlife they need to be heard, too."

There's no limit on how many wolves can be killed statewide. Hunters and trappers harvested 210 of the animals in Montana during the 2015 season.