Wolf Hunting and Trapping Background, Attitudes
Wolf hunting and trapping background, attitudes As the Department of Natural Resources updates the existing Minnesota wolf management plan, the topic of hunting and trapping will be discussed by the 20-member wolf advisory committee and a related technical committee comprised of government, tribal and university wolf experts. Currently, it is illegal for people to hunt and trap wolves in Minnesota. Minnesotans have diverse attitudes about the topic.
Background Until the early 1970s wolves were unprotected in Minnesota. Historically, trappers pursued wolves Minnesota held wolf hunting and trapping seasons from 2012 through 2014 under highly for their valuable fur during winter regulated conditions. or where they caused problems with livestock. Even though an average In order to assure that Minnesota • The wolf season harvest was of about 200 wolves were taken did not kill more wolves than the divided into three segments: annually in the 1960s, the population could sustain there were an early hunting season that population was increasing, starting a number of mechanisms in place to coincided with the firearms with about 500 wolves and reaching limit wolf season mortality. deer season, a late hunting about 1,000 by the early 1970s. season and a concurrent late Things to know about wolf hunting trapping season. Prior to 2012, there had never and trapping in Minnesota: been a regulated wolf hunting and • In 2011, the Minnesota Legislature • The total harvest of wolves trapping season. However, from authorized the DNR to implement was 413 in 2012, 238 in 2013 2012 through 2014—years when a wolf season following the and 272 in 2014. About five wolves were legally managed by removal of wolves from the percent of hunters successfully the State of Minnesota rather federal Endangered Species Act harvested a wolf. than the federal government— and classified wolves as small • Wolf trappers were more state law allowed hunting and game in state statute. trapping under highly regulated successful than wolf hunters, conditions to ensure they would • Wolf season harvest was having success rates of not have a negative impact on the restricted by using a lottery 29 percent in 2012, 20 percent population. There is a significant to limit the number of licenses in 2013 and 17 percent in 2014. amount of research to indicate wolf available. The season was closed populations are resilient even with when total harvests reached a moderate level of hunting a limit set prior to the start of and trapping. the season.
© 2020, Minnesota DNR Attitudes toward hunting and trapping Wolf hunting and trapping can nearly 10,000 Minnesota be an emotionally charged topic. residents to gather information While there is not a compelling about their values, beliefs and management need to hunt attitudes with respect to wolves or trap wolves in Minnesota, and wolf management. the state has a long history of Among survey findings were: supporting hunting and trapping • A minority of Minnesota’s opportunities. Citizens can hunt residents support establishing and trap dozens of species of a wolf hunting season wildlife. Support for hunting and (41 percent); fewer supported a fishing has been so strong in trapping season (30 percent). Minnesota that in 1998, 77 percent of Minnesota voters supported • The majority of livestock a constitutional amendment producers (88 percent and that affirmed that “hunting and 84 percent) and deer hunters fishing and the taking of game are (88 percent and 80 percent) a valued part of the heritage of support establishing wolf hunting Minnesota and shall be preserved and wolf trapping seasons. for the people.” • Even though most deer hunters Recently, the DNR contracted with support a wolf season, the the U.S. Geological Survey through majority (67 percent) agreed the Minnesota Cooperative Fish that “It is important to maintain and Wildlife Research Unit at the a wolf population in Minnesota.” University of Minnesota to survey
Residents’ attitudes toward hunting
Residents answered the following question: Some Minnesotans want the opportunity to hunt Oppose and trap wolves while others feel hunting and trapping is wrong. 40.5% 49% If wolves were removed from Neutral the endangered species list and management authority moves Support to Minnesota, how much do you support or oppose establishing a 10.5% regulated hunting season?
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