A bill establishing a wolf hunting season in Minnesota will get its first hearing at the Legislature on Thursday.
The bill by Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, calls for the wolf season to coincide with the regular firearms deer hunting season -- an idea supported by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association but opposed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
"We have some major concerns with that," said Bob Meier, assistant DNR commissioner. "This isn't an incidental take of a predator. We're managing the wolf as a big-game animal. It should have its own season."
Hackbarth said he doesn't believe many deer hunters will get shots at wolves, but at least it gives them that option.
"I think that's the way to go," he said.
The price of a license would be $26, instead of $50 proposed by DNR. The bill, HF2171, will be heard in the House Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee.
Meanwhile, the details are out on the DNR's proposal to tighten the use of body-gripping traps to reduce the inadvertent trapping of dogs. Under it, 220-size traps couldn't be used on public lands unless they are 4 feet above ground. Alternatively, the trap trigger would need to be recessed 7 inches from the opening of an enclosure holding a trap (the opening could be no greater than 50 square inches.) Or the trap would need to be in an enclosure with one entrance facing the ground, set no more than 6 inches from the ground, with the trigger recessed 4 inches.
"It's a start, but I'm not sure if this adequately protects dogs," said Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL-Maplewood, who has introduced his own trap legislation.
