MN Wolf season? WHy not?

[fishuhalik]

since i have a very strong opinion on this subject and i dont wanna get booted again i'm just gonna say that i agree with having an open season on wolves in mn

[skee0025]

i only hope that people that are experts on wolves and deer make the proper decisions with this issue.

I wish that were the case, however I dont think anyone here is naive enough to believe that will be the how things shake out. As with many things, it will be the side that has the deepest pockets and can scream the loudest with little regard paid to the truth and what is best for the species.

[MUSKY18]

Here is the problem with MN if it came down to a vote by the people on wether or not there should be a wolf hunt. THe majority of the population resides in the residential metro area, which most(not all mind you) have extrememly liberal views and support anti organizations in mass. Take a look at the presidential election. Minnesota went to Obama, although over 2/3 of the state voted for McCain. Same thing would happen if there were a vote for an open wolf season. I am all in favor of having a wolf season. If the DNR can collect the proper data and facts, put a plan in place as to how many wolves need to be taken, sell the license, make some revenue for the state and make it a success all the way around.

[ClownColor]

I saw 13 wolves in one pack all at once on Sunday, opening weekend of deer season just north of Aitkin....13! It was like a highway of wolves running by. 13!

[EJ_Mac]

Quote:

"The endangered species act requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor wolves in Minnesota for five years after delisting to ensure that recovery continues." from the DNR's page.

This is why I think you won't see a season until that 5 years has elapsed. The ESA states that any significant decline in the wolf population during that period could cause them to be re-listed. And I don't think the state would want to take the chance of them suddenly having to go back on the list. Remember that during the 5-year period, you're already going to have more of them being taken than previously, mainly because land owners will be able to take them to protect property like livestock, pets, etc. There will also probably be a hefty amout of illegal taking still going on, as well.

[mitch]

I came across this video last night and it was really good and interesting. It's not about MN but it's about wolves so I thought I would share it.

http://www.huntersagainstpeta.com/heres-the-crying-wolf-video-that-jeffery-sent-directly-to-us

[Todd Caswell]

Very interesting...

I know of 5 different groups of deer hunters that seen more wolves than deer this year. All 5 groups were less concerned with the fact that there deer numbers are down, but more concerned with the fact that the wolves seemed very comfortable with a a guy sitting up in a tree waving at them, very little fear of humans..

Now if there was a season on them would they be acting as bold as they are ? Doubt it..

[Todd Caswell]

I saw 13 wolves in one pack all at once on Sunday, opening weekend of deer season just north of Aitkin....13! It was like a highway of wolves running by. 13!

No need to worry they most likely were just passing through, but if not they only kill what they can consume 1.5 deer per monthe per adult wolf, mix in some livestock, a few barn yard dogs ect.. But like I said absolutly no need to worry.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Tons of wolves north of Two Harbors. Areas that normally were thick with deer sign were barren of anything. A few deer were seen and shot in our group, but it was defintely a dismal season.

And no, I'm not completely blaming it all on wolves. Severe drought, tough winters, multiple years of Intensive Harvest and increased wolf numbers all have taken their toll. But I did hear the wolf packs in the area singing 5 out of the 7 days of hunting. Kind of depressing. At least their still on the Endangered Species List.......

[reinhard1]

i hunt in the same area in the intensive. we also have wolves here of course. however we are seeing more deer than years in the past. while i'm no expert, i attribute this to the logging that has been done and is still currently being done in our area.

our area was logged 3 years ago. what was once thick forests and swamp are now more of an open area with islands of trees and new growth comming back. a guy who has a cabin on a little lake a couple miles down the road stopped by to introduce himself for he has seen us parked at our spot since the 60's. he said they are going to log and clear cut his area.

sure enough monday morning we could hear the the equipment and mashines from morning till into the night. he was somewhat angry with all the noise and loss of cover but i told him, there will be better hunting for years to come because of the logging.

so yes there are a lot of reasons why at times you see no deer and sometimes you have a banner year. however the wolves play a role in the forrests just like we do and the rest of the wildlife. good luck.

[Deet]

To pay professionals to hunt/trap wolves is such a bad idea that the government might actually like it. Why make money off a resource when instead you can PAY to control it? Excuse my sarcasm.

Like others have said, even with a controlled season, the harvest numbers would be low. I don't think I could kill a wolf even if I tried, unless baiting was permitted. I spend a lot of time in the woods and have only seen a timber wolf once. And I know there are tons around, they are just very elusive.

A friend of an acquaintance of mine shot one the other day and got busted. Based on the fines he's facing, he would have been better off shooting someone's dog, horse, car, anything. I guess the government will make some money off it, so that's good.

If they sold wolf tags (for $5 or $500, I don't care) AND kept hefty fines for violations, they could make money on both ends (license sales and violation fees).

[fishlakeman]

My family has hunted a woods between Bemidji and Grand Rapids for 60+ years, and from our determination, the Timberwolf population is by far the largest its' ever been. The past two years have been the poorest deer hunting we've ever experienced, and as others have mentioned, I think poor forest management, harsh winters, and liberal hunting tags have certainly contributed, but it does seem like the Timberwolf population could certainly be reduced a bit. I think it's really cool to hunt in a woods with that beautiful creature, and do like that I have such a respected predator in the woods with me, but I think it's getting a little crowded.

There are a lot of wolves, and they're getting more aggressive. The wolves seen have not seemed concerned with any surroundings. Kind of like a king of the castle attitude. That concerns me.

SOLUTION:

What we need is to find some films of gruesome Wolves taking out that weak yearling doe at the back of the herd, and post it all over the internet, get it on the news, and in the newspapers. Maybe we can even get some greenies to side with us to help curb the big bad wolf population to help protect the innocent deer.

[fishlakeman]

Mitch, by the way, thank you for the link, that was a very interesting documentary on the Wolf.

[Johnny_Magellan]

Good call on the "perception" issue.

Showing a wolf killing an innocent fawn would have bleeding hearts changing their thought pattern-especially seeing how most of the people that would be able to vote on the subject have no idea what lies past the sidewalks of the cities.

Don't get me wrong, I've grown up in the metro too.

But, thankfully, my upbringing included fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities off the beaten path.

Wolf hunting on the news wouldn't be any different than any other news for people that don't understand things.

Every time there's a homicide or hold-up you hear the phrase "semi-automatic weapon" like they're wielding a fully automatic AK or something.

People that make the decisions aren't "in the know", and when stuff's put to a vote, unfortunately, it never turns out as it should.

If you think our current DNR can manage the wolf population appropriately, look how well they're managing the MN deer herd.

Anyone have a guess as to what their area will be next year?

Management? Hunter's choice? Lottery?

Keep guessing...

[Johnny_Magellan]

For the record, how much money does having wolves around generate for the state or DNR?

Now how much money is generated by deer hunting?

Clothing, licenses, firearms, lodging...

Seems like a no-brainer which population would be more critical to keep high?

[TooTallTom]

I think that either population should be kept at a healthy, sustainable level for that species in that area. I don't think that the species's value as a revenue stream should be much of a factor in the decision about what number of individuals constitutes a health herd or pack.

Put another way, I don't believe that our environment's primary value comes from our ability to squeeze dollars from it.