DNR closes N/E MN. wolf season

[Lee Borgersen]

...   DNR closes northeastern Minnesota’s early wolf season.

(Released November 14, 2012)

Wolf hunting in the northeast zone will close for the remainder of the early season at the end of shooting hours on Thursday, Nov. 15, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The northwest zone remains open through Sunday, Nov. 18, in 100 series deer permit areas. The season closed Sunday, Nov. 11, in 200 series deer permit areas. DNR closed the east-central zone on Monday, Nov. 5. Hunters with permits for closed zones are allowed to hunt wolves in the northwest zone during the early season while it remains open.

The harvest target for the northeast zone during the early season is 58 wolves. Fifty-seven were registered when DNR initiated season closure.

Hunters in all zones have registered a total of 125 wolves so far. The harvest target is 200 wolves for the early season.

Early season wolf hunters are required to:

■Register all wolves by 10 p.m. the day of harvest in order for the DNR to monitor zone-specific harvest levels. Registration is available via telephone, website or in person.
■Obey zone closures, which become effective the end of legal shooting hours for the day on which a zone is closed.
■Take responsibility for tracking season progress and season/zone closure each morning before hunting by calling 888-706-6367 or checking the DNR wolf hunting page.
■Season status and harvest targets will be updated in real-time for each zone.
■Return any radio collars when they bring wolves in for the mandatory wolf inspection and bring an ear tag along so that information on the tag can be examined and recorded.
■Present the entire skinned wolf and pelt for inspection as outlined in the wolf hunting regulations so the DNR can collect data on wolves for population monitoring.
■Wear blaze orange during open firearms (including muzzleloader) deer season.
Complete wolf hunting information, including a map of the wolf zones, is available online.