Federal officials are investigating the killings of two wolves found shot in northern Minnesota last month.
Both wolves were killed on or about Nov. 9. One was shot northwest of Grand Raids in the Ball Club area. The second -- a radio-collared wolf that was part of a scientific study -- was killed near Two Harbors. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced Monday that it was offering a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest of people who shot the wolves.
Occasional wolf killings, which periodically have occurred over the years in northern Minnesota even though wolves are federally protected, don't come as a shock to state wildlife officials.
"It doesn't surprise me given the almost hysteria over the number of wolves and decline in deer population," said Dennis Simon, Department of Natural Resources wildlife management section chief.
This fall, state conservation officers received many complaints from deer hunters who reported seeing wolves or wolf signs and believe a growing wolf population is to blame for declining deer numbers in some areas. Wildlife officials dismiss those concerns and say that while wolves obviously eat deer, other factors, including bad winter weather and recent liberal hunting regulations, are mostly responsible for deer population declines.
Wolves also have killed at least seven dogs in Minnesota in 2009, which also has heightened concern in some communities. And officials say Minnesota's wolf population, estimated at 3,000, might be higher.
The wolf killings apparently occurred during the state's firearms deer season, when about 500,000 hunters are in the woods.
Wolves remain federally protected under the Endangered Species Act in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Wolves had been removed from federal protections in the three states in 2007, but were returned to federal control after a court decision. Killing one is punishable by imprisonment of up to six months and a $25,000 fine.
