Minnesota Hunters Kill More Than 30 Wolves On 1st Day

A total of 3,600 licenses were issued for the early wolf season, which started Saturday. By that evening, 32 wolves were killed.

Department of Natural Resources acting wildlife chief Steve Merchant says the numbers are close to what officials expected.

The region's wolves came off the endangered list last January. Minnesota has a quota of 400 wolves for the season, including the early hunting-only season that started Saturday and a hunting-and-trapping season opening Nov. 24.

Opponents of the wolf hunt were upset that any wolves were killed.

Maureen Hackett of Howling for Wolves says if people understood how much the animals meant to Native Americans, they wouldn't participate in the hunt.