Wolf hunting could start as soon as next year according to language in the massive environmental bill that was settled over the weekend by the Republican legislature and Governor Mark Dayton. After the gray wolf is taken off the federal endangered species list, which is expected later this year, the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources will have the authority to declare a hunting season, according to the bill. This is what it says:

Star Tribune photo

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.645, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
114.10 Subd. 9. Open season. There shall be no open season for gray wolves for five years
114.11until after the gray wolf is delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
114.12After that time, the commissioner may prescribe open seasons and restrictions for taking
114.13gray wolves but must provide opportunity for public comment.

The five-year hunting moratorium has been part of Minnesota's wolf management plan for 10 years or so. The plan has been the subject of many public hearings, and was accepted by the Department of the Interior in the de-listing process. The bill still gives the commissioner the authority to delay hunting, and to decide how many hunting permits and what time of year wolves could be hunted.

But some experts fear that fiddling with the de-listing plan in any way would open up the possibility for another law suit that could bring the whole thing to a halt. It's not clear at this point which legislator changed the language, why or whether the federal government will accept it.

Stay tuned.

To read the entire environmental bill go here.