HF649

Purpose

• To regulate when and how wolves can be hunted in Minnesota, tying hunting to whether wolves are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The bill aims to ensure any wolf hunting rules align with a state wolf management plan and involve public input and federal/state agency coordination.

Main Provisions

• Open season timing: There shall be no annual open season for wolves until after wolves are delisted under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Once delisted, the commissioner may establish open seasons and restrictions for taking wolves.
• Public comment: Any open seasons or restrictions set after delisting must provide an opportunity for public comment.
• Alignment with management plan: Season restrictions and other requirements must be consistent with the goals identified in the wolf management plan adopted under section 97B.646.
• Interagency consultation: Before setting season restrictions and other requirements of the open season, the commissioner must annually consult with:
  • The commissioner of agriculture, and
  • The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).
• Data review: The consultation must include a review of available data on wolf depredation on livestock and pets and other incidents of human conflict involving wolves.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.645, subdivision 9 to introduce a conditional open season for wolves that only begins after ESA delisting.
• Requires ongoing annual interagency consultation (with agriculture and USDA APHIS) as a prerequisite to establishing the open season and any related restrictions.
• Requires that the open-season framework be grounded in the state wolf management plan’s goals and informed by depredation and human-conflict data.

Relevant Terms - annual open season - wolves - Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) - delisted - taking (hunting/harvesting wolves) - wolf management plan (section 97B.646) - public comment - commissioner of agriculture - USDA APHIS (United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) - depredation - livestock - pets - human conflict