Senate Panel Passes Wolf Hunt Moratorium 7-6

ST. PAUL (AP) - Opponents of wolf hunting win a victory as a Minnesota Senate panel votes 7-6 for a five-year moratorium on future wolf seasons.

Wolf hunting opponents argued before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Thursday that the state acted too hastily when it decided to resume sport hunting and trapping after the region's wolves came off the endangered list early last year. Hunters and trappers then killed 413 wolves during the state's inaugural wolf season, which ended in January.

Supporters of the wolf hunt told the committee the state's wolf population has recovered enough to allow for properly managed hunting and trapping, and that the decision was made after years of study and court battles.

The bill now goes to a Senate environment budget committee, where its prospects are uncertain.