PRESS RELEASE: Minnesota bill introduced to prohibit wolf hunting as Wisconsin begins wolf hunting season today

(St. Paul, Minn.) – Today a bill which prohibits a wolf hunting and trapping season in Minnesota is expected to be introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives. House File XXXX, chief authored by Rep. Peter Fischer (D-Maplewood) was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. It’s companion bill, Senate File 1144 (chief authored by Senator Chris Eaton) was introduced February 18. A ban on wolf hunting in Minnesota passed the full House of Representatives in April 2019.

In stark contrast, a week-long wolf hunting season began today in Wisconsin, where dogs and snares will be used to kill wolves in hunts that can happen day and night. The Wisconsin wolf hunt was rushed after the nation’s gray wolves were removed from the Endangered Species List by the U.S. Department of Interior as of January 4, 2021.

Dr. Maureen Hackett, founder and president of Howling For Wolves, a Minnesota-based wolf advocacy organization said in response:

“Wolf trophy hunting destroys wolf packs and kills additional wolves outside of the hunts. This creates chaos and unpredictable problems for farmers and people. Instead, we need nonlethal plans that can prevent conflicts with livestock. We need to leave wolves undisturbed to function as social packs. As apex predators, they have the social and biological structure to control their own pack sizes and numbers. Though there has been talk of an “abundance “of wolves, Minnesota’s wolf packs’ average size is just over three wolves.

Howling For Wolves works to ensure the survival of the wolf and is adamant in our opposition to wolf trophy hunting and trapping that also uses bait and snares.

The political decision to remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for the wolf is against public sentiment and sound science.” 

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Howling For Wolves educates the public about the wild wolf to foster tolerance and to ensure the wolf’s long-term survival. Howling For Wolves opposes wolf hunting and trapping and all wildlife snaring. We advocate for nonlethal prevention methods that reduce wolf-livestock conflicts and support current federal protections for the wolf. www.HowlingForWolves.org.