ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource (DNR) has finalized rules for Minnesota’s first regulated wolf hunting and trapping season this fall and winter. There are several changes to what the DNR originally proposed in May as a result of input received since the proposal was announced.

Wolf hunting licenses will be $30 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. Nonresidents will be limited to 5 percent of total hunting licenses. Wolf trapping licenses will be $30 (limited to residents only). A lottery will be held to select license recipients. Proof of a current or previous hunting license will be required to apply for a wolf license. The application fee will be $4. A wolf season regulation booklet is being developed. DETAILS OF THE SEASON STRUCTURE • The early wolf hunting season (legal firearms or archery) will be concurrent with the deer season and open only in that portion of the state where rifles can be used to hunt deer. • The early season dates are Nov. 3-18 in 100 Series deer permit areas (northeastern and east-central Minnesota) and Nov. 3-11 in the rifle zone portion of 200 Series deer permit areas (central and northwestern Minnesota). The early season will close before those dates if the target harvest by wolf zone is reached sooner. • No trapping will be allowed in the early season. • The late hunting and trapping season will open Nov. 24 statewide. It will close Jan. 31 or when the total target harvest by wolf zone is reached, whichever is sooner. • Licensed wolf hunters will be responsible for checking each day to assure that the season is still open. • Landowners and tribal authorities may close land under their control to wolf harvest at their discretion. • The bag limit is one wolf per licensee.

LICENSING

• A person cannot purchase both a wolf hunting and a wolf trapping license. A person with a hunting license may take a wolf only by firearms or archery; a person with a trapping license may take a wolf only by trap or snare. • 3,600 licenses will be available for the early season and are only valid for the early season. • 2,400 licenses will be available for the late season (at least 600 trapping) and are only valid for the late season. • The number of hunting licenses offered to nonresidents will be capped at 5 percent for both the early and late seasons. • Licenses must be purchased prior to the opening day of the respective seasons.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Application materials will be available online in mid-August with a $4 application fee. • A person must have proof of a current or previous hunting license to apply. • Trappers born after Dec. 31, 1989, need a trapper education certificate or proof of a previous trapping license to purchase a wolf trapping license. • The application deadline will be Sept. 6; online winner notification will be no later than Oct. 14. • Licenses will be available for purchase no later than Oct. 15. • Groups of up to four individuals many apply as a single group and may assist another licensed wolf hunter, but may not shoot or tag for each other. • Applicants can apply for only one of three license types: early wolf hunting, late wolf hunting, or late wolf trapping.

REGISTRATION

• All animals must be registered by 10 p.m. of the day of harvest (can be done electronically at ELS agent, online or by phone). • Harvest registration information/reporting will be available online and via a toll-free phone number. • Harvest registration must identify the zone in which the wolf was taken. • Carcasses must be presented for collection of biological data.

SEASON CLOSURE AND NOTIFICATION

• The season for each wolf zone will close at the end of legal shooting hours on the day for which hunters and trappers are notified that the closure will occur. • Notification will be available via a toll-free phone number and DNR web site indicating whether the season is open or closed in each wolf zone.