A wolf hunting season would be launched in Minnesota this fall — and would begin with the regular firearms deer hunting season — under a large game and fish bill approved Tuesday by the Minnesota House.
Similar language is in a Senate bill expected to be voted on soon.
The Department of Natural Resources had sought a wolf season independent of the firearms deer season, but lawmakers in both the Senate and House want to give deer hunters a chance to take wolves incidental to deer hunting.
A wolf hunting or trapping license would cost $26 under the House bill. Nonresidents could buy a wolf hunting license for $250. The DNR could limit the number of hunters and trappers and set a harvest quota.A wolf trapping season could be in December, the DNR says.
The bill also would lower the restitution value for wolves killed illegally to $500; it currently is $2,000.
The bill also contains provisions that would:
•Kill the state’s venison donation program, and use the money to pay for the state’s walk-in hunter access program.
•Prevent the state from regulating venison donated for charitable purposes.
•Require most publicly owned or managed shooting ranges to be made available for firearms safety instruction courses.
Â
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Doug Smith
Outdoors

Seventeen appointed to new Lake Mille Lacs advisory group
The DNR says members of the committee will contribute to the broader understanding of biological, social and economic aspects of the lake
Local

Some hunters this weekend will be asked to have ducks tested for avian flu
The Department of Natural Resources will have field testing stations in Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Stearns, Swift and Todd counties.
Outdoors
Outdoors

Dayton says they'll be a walleye season this winter on Mille Lacs
Previously, the DNR said it would wait until an annual fall walleye survey was complete on Mille Lacs before determing whether winter walleye fishing could begin Dec. 1.
Outdoors