wolf update: 5-year waiting period on hunt reinstated

Today, the Minnesota Senate Environment and Energy Policy committee approved S.F. 666, a bill that would reinstate a five-year wait on recreational wolf hunting and trapping. The bill has been referred to the Environment, Economic Development and Agriculture Division.“We are pleased the committee approved the bill and thank Sen. Chris Eaton for her leadership,” said Dr. Maureen Hackett, founder of Howling For Wolves. “We know there is majority support with voters for reinstating the five-year waiting period, and it’s not hard to understand why. The public can see that a wolf hunt was rushed through.”

Two thirds (66%) of respondents believe that there is no need for a wolf hunt if Minnesotans already have the legal authority to kill a wolf if it threatens people, livestock, property. Over half (57%) of respondents living in northern Minnesota counties agree. Overall, just 25% of voters disagree, saying that a wolf hunt is still necessary. In northern Minnesota counties, only 34% of voters share that viewpoint.

“Opposition to using bait, traps, and snares to hunt wolves is another point of commonality with northern Minnesota voters,” said Hackett. “Sixty-one percent of northern Minnesota voters oppose trapping and snaring to hunt wolves, and 63% oppose baiting. We are asking northern lawmakers to recognize and reflect these common values in their position on recreational baiting, trapping and snaring of wolves.”