Buying a Surplus Tag

[Neiko]

Looking to try and get a 2nd season hunting wolf tag and was wondering what is the best way. DoI try to get it online or at a ELS? My brother in law owns a small hardware store that does ELS so I could try it there. I have to believe the ELS would be faster then online as I am assuming you have to fill in information which would slow you down. ELS is all 1 button questions and fast.

[DonBo]

This is all new so not sure anyone really knows what might be best. For most tags, I believe you can fill in everything you need, then hit "send" at the appropriate time, but again, who knows if you're able to do that with the wolf?

If you can be first in line at an ALS (that knows what they are doing) that may be the better option. Again, who knows? Either way, I hope you get the tag and I hope you score. I know there's plenty of the big dogs around Askov.

[lichen fox]

If you do it online, you can have all the info ready to go and hit purchase at the appropriate time...but then you have to fill in your payment information quickly...you may be better off at an ELS agent with only 317 tags available...The early season had 600 plus and the sold out inside of 5 minutes! Here's the DNR news release...

Surplus late wolf season licenses go on sale Monday

(Released November 16, 2012)

Applicants not selected in this year’s early or late season wolf license lottery can purchase a surplus hunting or trapping license on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at noon on Monday, Nov. 19, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said today.

There are 187 surplus hunting licenses and 130 surplus trapping licenses available for the late season. The late season begins Saturday, Nov. 24, and concludes Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, provided late season harvest targets in each of Minnesota’s three wolf zones are not met.

Eligible hunters and trappers may purchase a surplus license of their choice regardless of the season they selected when applying for the lottery. When buying a surplus license, purchasers must specify a firearm license to hunt or a wolf trapping license to trap. An individual may purchase only one wolf license.

Surplus late season wolf hunting and trapping licenses are valid when the late season is open in any of the state’s three wolf zones.

Trappers born after Dec. 31, 1989, must have a trapper education certificate to purchase a surplus wolf trapping license if they have not purchased a trapping license in a previous license year.

If all licenses are not purchased by unsuccessful applicants, any eligible hunter or trapper, regardless of whether he or she entered the wolf season lottery, may purchase a remaining late season license beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Surplus wolf licenses are available from any DNR license agent or online. Online buyers should proceed to checkout immediately after selecting a surplus wolf license and quickly submit payment information to improve their chances of obtaining a license.

The DNR allocated 2,400 wolf licenses for the late hunting and trapping season.

[Neiko]

I think I am going to try the ELS. Thinking it might be better odds. I may try online also.

[bowhunternw]

They lasted only a couple seconds.

[Neiko]

I was able to get one. Now to figure out a strategy.

[DinnerPail]

Neiko, did you get it online or at an ELS? And had you applied for the early or late season prior?

I am just curious as I was at an ELS and she swiped my license right at 12 and was sold out that fast. Also read the DNR press release and they were allowing people who applied for the early season and had not been drawn could apply for the late season surplus tags. They didn't allow people who applied for the late season to apply for the early season surplus tags the way I reads the regulations earlier.

Not disappointed as I will just do some muzzle loading instead.

Good luck and hope you have some success. Heard they are geeting a pretty good price to have one mounted.

[DonBo]

I was able to get one. Now to figure out a strategy.

Sweet! Good luck on your hunt.

[Neiko]

Thanks! I applied for the second season as I ice fish up north and had them cross the lake a couple times so figured I might kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Just need to check with CO to make sure it is legal to have rifle with ice fishing. I am sure it is but want to make sure. My brother in law owns a hardware store and he swiped mine first and went to swipe his next and were sold out. I felt kind of bad. I feel real lucky and hope I can atleast see one. I am going to call my Taxidermist and ask him what he charges. He is pretty reasonable and good.

[bigbucks]

I guess I might question having a rifle out on the ice, but I really don't know. Not much to stop a bullet on a frozen lake.

[DonBo]

Not much to stop a bullet on a frozen lake.

Except maybe a wolf?

[Neiko]

Except maybe a wolf?

[bigbucks]

I don't know, anything you'd shoot a wolf with you'd want to go through it wouldn't you? I personally don't care, I'm just thinking a CO wouldn't be too cool with that.