The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will officially take over management of the state’s wolf population on January 27. The announcement follows a December 2011 decision to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list.
“The DNR is well-prepared to manage gray wolves and ensure the long-term survival of the species,” said Ed Boggess, DNR Fish and Wildlife Division director in a media release. “The state’s Wolf Management Plan will allow Minnesotans more flexibility to address the real conflicts that occur between wolves and humans.”
The primary difference between federal and state protection will be provisions for predator control when livestock and domestic pets are at risk. Minnesota’s Wolf Management Plan divides the state into two zones, with varying levels of protective measures.
In Zone A–the top third of the state, identified as the wolf’s “core range”–owners of livestock, guard animals and domestic animals may shoot a wolf on property they own or lease if it poses an “immediate threat” to their animals. That means the owner must observe the wolf in the act of stalking, attacking or killing for this provision to apply. Pet owners may shoot or destroy a wolf on any property as long as they are supervising their pet.
In the southern two thirds of the state (zone B), the “immediate threat” clause does not apply. A person may shoot a gray wolf at any time to protect livestock, domestic animals or pets on land they own, lease or manage. And throughout the state anyone can take a wolf when a human life is at risk.
When a wolf is shot or destroyed anywhere in the state, the DNR must be notified within 48 hours, and the carcass must be turned over unaltered to the DNR.
The complete wolf management plan, including zone maps and a wolf population survey, may be read HERE.
As the DNR prepares to take over management of the gray wolf, the agency has begun planning a limited gray wolf hunting and trapping season for late 2012. The plan manages the wolf as a “high-value fur species.” The season will be established during the time of year that pelts are most valuable. However, the take will be limited through a lottery and all animals will be registered to prevent hunters from taking wolves through “incidental take” while hunting other species.
“Without a history of regulated wolf seasons, we don’t know what kind of hunter and trapper interest and success rate to expect,” said Dan Stark, DNR large carnivore specialist, in a media release. Stark will be responsible for coordinating all wolf management activities within Minnesota, including the hunting season, and took the plan before the Legislature in early January.
“The wolf population has been fully recovered in Minnesota for many years,” Stark added. “Our hunting and trapping season approach will be designed to keep it that way. No one wants to see this species needing federal protection again.”
According to Stark, additional authorization will be sought, and there will also be a public comment period before implementing a wolf season. Stark is one of several DNR staff implementing the state management plan. Dr. John Erb, DNR wolf research biologist, will oversee wolf population monitoring and research. Three additional conservation officers will lead enforcement of the management plan’s provisions.
Minnesota has an estimated 3,000 wolves, and the population has been steady for the last 10 years. The wolf management plan estimates that a population of 1,600 must be maintained to ensure the wolf’s survival in the state. On January 27, the wolf will also be removed from federal protection in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Read Minnesota DNR press releases on the management plan HERE, and the hunting and trapping plan HERE.