MN Wolf Season Approved

[MinnesotaHunter]

In the last few days the MN Legislature has approved a bill that will finally allow for a wolf season in MN. Excerpt from the article:

Under the bill, the wolf hunting season would open the same day as the firearms deer hunting season. The DNR would set a 400-wolf quota. A license to hunt or trap wolves would cost $30 for residents. A nonresident wolf hunting license would cost $250, but nonresidents couldn't trap wolves. The restitution for a wolf taken illegally, now $2,000, would drop to $500

I cannot wait.

 

[emrah1028]

Is this passed into law or will "Moonbat" Mark Dayton veto it?

Emrah

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

The Gov signed it this afternoon. He waited the full 3 days, but he signed it.

 

[BuzzH]

I have to laugh when I think about all the people chirping that "a wolf season will never happen".

 

[MNHunter]

Very good news indeed!

 

[mconway951]

I cant beleive it happened as easily as it did in this state looks like the legislature actually got something done this seasion although it is probably the only thing that will get done.

 

[Big Fin]

How long will season stay open? Would like to go back and shoot offspring of the wolves I had to release from my traps on Hick's Ridge, Porter's Ridge, or the Deer River Line.

The boys back home in Big Falls gotta be lickin' their chops over this one.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

From what I understand, it will be a quota system where unlimited liscenses will be sold and you will have to call in each morning to see if you can still hunt. The season is projected to open on gun deer opener (11/03/12), and the quota will be 400 wolves.

I have a buddy who does some legislative liasion work and he is going to ask the MN DNR Liasion for some more information on how they envision implementation.

I am sure there are alot of folks trying to figure out how to make it not happen already.

 

[kansasdad]

Would like to go back and shoot offspring of the wolves I had to release from my traps on Hick's Ridge, Porter's Ridge, or the Deer River Line.

Now that is a rodeo I would like to watch on TV!! I'm guessing that the wolves don't just lay there and let you come do them the favor of release.

 

[MNHunter]

Not sure why they capped the tags at 6000 but a MN Wolf season is coming!

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State will hold two wolf hunting seasons; 6,000 licenses offered
Article by: DOUG SMITH AND PAUL WALSH
Star Tribune staff writers
May 21, 2012 - 1:08 PM
State officials released the details Monday of Minnesota's first wolf hunting and trapping seasons, and it looks a lot like predicted: 6,000 licenses will be offered, and the seasons will end if a 400-wolf quota is reached.

As expected, the DNR is proposing to split the season into two parts: an early wolf hunting season coinciding with firearms deer hunting season, which opens Nov., 3, and a late wolf hunting and trapping season after the firearms deer season for those specifically interested in wolf hunting and trapping.

The DNR will take public comments on the plan, but only on the agency's website; public meetings won't be held.

Here are details:

•Of the 6,000 licenses offered, 3,600 will be available in the early season and 2,400 in the late season. Late season licenses will be further split between hunting and trapping, with a minimum of 600 reserved for trappers.

• The target harvest quota is 400 wolves for both seasons combined, and will initially be allocated equally between the early and the late seasons.

•The early hunting-only season will be open only in northern Minnesota where rifles are allowed for deer hunting. It will start Nov. 3, the opening day of firearms deer hunting. It will close either at the end of the respective firearms seasons in the two northern deer zones (Nov. 18 in Zone 1 or Nov. 11 in Zone 2), or when a registered target harvest quota of 200 is reached, whichever comes sooner.

•The late hunting and trapping season will begin Nov. 24. It will close Jan. 6, 2013, or when a registered total target harvest quota of 400 in both seasons combined is reached, whichever comes sooner. The late season will be open statewide.

•Wolf hunting licenses will be $30 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. Nonresidents will be limited to 5 percent of total hunting licenses. Wolf trapping licenses will be $30 (limited to residents only). A lottery will be held to select license recipients. Proof of a current or previous hunting license will be required to apply for a wolf license. The application fee will be $4.

•The DNR is required by law to take public comment before implementing a wolf season. While decisions about whether to have a wolf season and when to start it have already been made through the lawmaking process, the DNR is seeking public comments on remaining details. The complete proposal is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/wolves.

• Given how soon the season must be put in place, the DNR will only take comments through an online survey, also at www.mndnr.gov/wolves, through June 20.

DNR officials said while Minnesota's wolf population of about 3,000 likely could sustain a much higher harvest rate, this first season is designed to provide information on wolf hunting and trapping interest and success rates that will help inform the design and implementation of future seasons.

Officials said the proposed season is consistent with the goal of the state's wolf management plan to assure the long term survival of the wolf and address conflicts between wolves and humans.

Specific details of the wolf season proposal include:

Season Structure

•The early wolf hunting season (legal firearms or archery) will be concurrent with the deer season and open only in that portion of the state where rifles can be used to hunt deer.

•The early season dates are Nov. 3-18 in Zone 1 (Series 100 deer permit areas - northeastern and east-central Minnesota) and Nov. 3-11 in the rifle zone portion of Zone 2 (Series 200 deer permit areas - central and northwestern Minnesota). The early season will close before those dates if the target harvest quota of 200 is reached sooner.

•No trapping will be allowed in the early season.

•The late hunting and trapping season will open Nov. 24 statewide. It will close Jan. 6 or when the total target harvest quota of 400 is met, whichever is sooner.

•Licensed wolf hunters will be responsible for checking each day to assure that the season is still open.

•The bag limit is one wolf per licensee.

Licensing

•A person cannot purchase both a hunting and a trapping license. A person with a hunting license may take a wolf only by firearms or archery; a person with a trapping license may take a wolf only by trap or snare.

•3,600 licenses will be available for the early season and are only valid for the early season.

•2,400 licenses will be available for the late season (at least 600 trapping) and are only valid for the late season.

•The number of hunting licenses offered to nonresidents will be capped at five percent for both the early and late seasons.

Application process

•Application materials will be available online on or around Aug. 1.

•A person must have proof of a current or previous hunting license to apply.

•Trappers born after Dec. 31, 1989, need a trapper education certificate or proof of a previous trapping license to purchase a wolf trapping license.

•The application deadline will be Sept. 6; online winner notification will be no later than Oct. 14. Licenses will be available for purchase no later than Oct. 15.

•Groups of up to four individuals many apply as a single group and may assist another licensed wolf hunter but may not shoot or tag for each other.

•Applicants can apply for only one of three license types: early wolf hunting; late wolf hunting; or late wolf trapping.

Registration

•All animals must be registered by the day following the day of harvest (can be done electronically at ELS agent or by phone).

•Harvest registration information/reporting will be available online and via a toll-free phone number.

•Carcasses must be surrendered for collection of biological data.

Gray wolves were recently delisted as a threatened species in the state after more than 30 years of federal protection, clearing the way for them to be hunted.

The DNR, regained wolf management from the federal government in January, says Minnesota's population of about 3,000 gray wolves is the largest in the Lower 48 states. There are about 1,500 in Wisconsin and Michigan, and about 1,600 in five Western states.

Evidence from wolf hunts in other states indicate that Minnesota hunters will be hard-pressed to meet whatever quota is set.

Last year, western states launched hunting seasons aimed at reducing their populations, but the results have been modest. Montana, with about 550 gray wolves, sold nearly 20,000 wolf-hunting licenses. Only half of the quota of 220 wolves was killed during a five-week season, and the state responded by extending the season through February. Idaho and Wyoming had similar experiences.

 

[shoots-straight]

They might get 100 wolves with those restrictions.

 

[MNHunter]

They might get 100 wolves with those restrictions.

I know. Kinda scratching my head on the restrictions too. 100 might be on the high side. Hopefully they will see how the 1st season goes and make adjustments like MT and ID did.

 

[Big Fin]

Hmmmm. I might have to consider this late season idea just for old times sake.

Might have to do that next year, since I will be in AZ for elk in December and I am sure NV or AZ is getting ready to send me a Desert Bighorn tag for December. That, along with trapping my limit of wolves in Montana, might make it hard to fit in the December schedule for this year.

I suspect most the harvest will come from trappers and incidental kill taken in the early rifle wolf season that coincides with the deer season. Other than those options, shooting a wolf in that thick country is going to be nearly impossible.

 

[12 guage]

Does anyone know if they will allow hunting over bait piles ? Probably not in this state im guessing.

Trapping should be a piece of cake. Most wont have to travel much further than your backyard if your in northern MN. They are thick...

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

HELL YEAH!! Way to go MN!!