Wolf hunters have until Oct. 24 to buy licenses

ST. PAUL - Hunters selected by lottery for the early wolf hunting season must purchase their license by Oct. 24.

Any early season licenses not sold by that date will be made available at noon on Oct. 29, on a first-come, first-served basis to early or late season applicants not selected in the lottery.

Any eligible hunter, regardless of whether he or she entered the wolf season lottery, may purchase a remaining early season license at noon on Nov. 1.

Licenses are available from any DNR license agent, online or by telephone at 888-665-4236.

Hunters selected by lottery for the late hunting and trapping season, which runs from Nov. 24, to Jan. 31, 2013, must buy their licenses by Nov. 15.

Any late season licenses not sold by that date will be available at noon on Nov. 19, on a first-come, first-served basis to early or late season applicants not selected in the lottery. Remaining licenses will be available for purchase by any eligible hunter at noon on Nov. 21.

More than 23,000 hunters entered the lottery to participate in Minnesota’s inaugural wolf hunting season.

Minnesota assumed state management of the gray wolf after the species was removed Jan. 27 from federal protection in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Minnesota’s wolf population is estimated to be about 3,000 wolves. The target harvest of 400 wolves for this inaugural wolf season is a conservative approach that does not pose a threat to the conservation of the population.