ST. PAUL, Minn. - Hunters and trappers who applied for a wolf license can now check to see if they were among the 6,000 who were selected in a special DNR lottery.
The results are posted on the DNR website. Once there, they can also view a copy of the 2012 wolf season regulations handbook.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received more than 23,000 applications for the 6,000 available licenses handed out for the first-ever wolf hunt.
Lottery winners will receive notification and wolf hunting regulations via postal mail, and may now purchase their licenses from a DNR license agent, online at the DNR website, or by telephone at 888-665-4236.
Participants in the early season hunt, which coincides with firearms deer season, must purchase their wolf licenses by Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Those taking part in the late hunting and trapping season, which runs from Saturday, Nov. 24, to Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, must buy their licenses by Thursday, Nov. 15.
Any licenses not sold by those dates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to unsuccessful lottery applicants beginning at noon on Monday, Oct. 29, for the early season and at noon on Monday, Nov. 19, for the late hunting and trapping season.
Any remaining licenses not purchased by unsuccessful applicants will be available for purchase by any eligible hunter beginning at noon on Thursday, Nov. 1, for the early season and noon on Wednesday, Nov. 21, for the late hunting and trapping season.
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.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )