As of Thursday, nearly 4,000 hunters and trappers had applied for wolf hunting or trapping licenses in Minnesota, according to Department of Natural Resources officials. In Wisconsin, more than 11,000 hunters or trappers had applied for wolf hunting or trapping licenses through Tuesday, according to Department of Natural Resources officials.
In Minnesota, 1,863 hunters had applied for licenses in the early hunting season, which opens Nov. 3 with the firearms deer season. Another
1,234 had applied for the late-season hunting option, starting Nov. 24, and 748 trappers had applied for the late-season trapping option, also starting Nov. 24.
A total of 6,000 licenses will be available for all of Minnesota's wolf hunting and trapping seasons, with a maximum harvest of 400 wolves.
Minnesota's wolf-license lottery application period opened Aug. 6 and will continue through Sept. 6.
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Wisconsin's wolf-license lottery opened Aug. 1 and closes Aug. 31. As of Thursday morning, 10,977 residents and 235 nonresidents have applied for licenses, a total of 11,212. Wisconsin will issue 2,010 permits through a lottery system with a maximum statewide harvest of 201 wolves. Of those, 85 are allocated to Chippewa tribes under treaty rights.
Input sought on Namakan Reservoir walleye regulations
Walleye regulations on lakes in the Namakan Reservoir in northern St. Louis County will be discussed at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Kabetogama Community Hall on St. Louis County Road 122. Minnesota DNR fisheries staff will give a presentation, answer questions and take public input on the future of experimental regulations on Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermilion lakes.
The current experimental regulations for walleye, in place since 2007 and set to expire on March 1, require the immediate release of all walleye between 17 and 28 inches in length. One walleye longer than 28 inches is allowed, with a possession limit of four walleye. The possession limit for walleye and sauger combined is six.
Public feedback at the meeting will help determine if the experimental regulations should be modified, extended or dropped to reach fish management goals.
People unable to attend the Sept. 25 meeting may submit comments by mail to the DNR Area Fisheries Office, 392 Highway 11 E., International Falls, MN 56649; by phone at (218) 286-5220; or via e-mail to kevin.peterson@
state.mn.us. All comments must be received by Oct. 8.
Antlerless deer, wolf permit applications due Sept. 6
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Minnesota hunters who wish to take an antlerless deer in lottery areas and those who want to enter the drawing for wolf licenses must do so by Sept. 6.
Applications can be made at license agents or online at www.mndnr.gov .
New Wildlife Management Area designated near EmbarrassConservation Partners Legacy grants available
A total of $4.6 million is available in the 2013 Conservation Partners Legacy grant program, and the online request for proposals is open and ready for applications.
Grants will be awarded to projects that restore, enhance or protect Minnesota's prairies, forests and wetlands. The grant process is open to local, state and national nonprofit organizations and governmental entities. See the CPL website at www.mndnr.gov/grants/habitat/cpl for more information.
Use only approved firewood at Minnesota parks, forests
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds visitors that only approved firewood is allowed on land administered by the DNR, which includes state parks, state forests and wildlife management areas.
In recent weeks, various state parks have been experiencing a surge of people bringing in unapproved firewood. Firewood restrictions are needed to help prevent the introduction or spread of damaging forest pests, including emerald ash borer, gypsy moth and oak wilt. Firewood can harbor many different invasive pests.
