HF782

Purpose

This bill changes when and how Minnesota can set an open season for wolves. It ties hunting or taking wolves to the wolf being delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act, and it requires a formal decision process that includes public input and interagency review.

Main Provisions

• Open season timing: There shall be no open season for wolves until after the wolf is delisted under the Endangered Species Act. After delisting, the commissioner may establish open seasons and restrictions for taking wolves.
• Public input: Any open season and its restrictions must provide an opportunity for public comment.
• Alignment with management goals: Any season restrictions and other requirements must be consistent with the goals identified in the wolf management plan adopted under section 97B.646.
• Interagency consultation: 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) before determining the season restrictions and other requirements.
• Data review: The annual consultation must include a review of available data on wolf depredation of livestock and pets and other incidents of human conflict.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Delayed open season: The bill removes any current or immediate open season for wolves and creates a new threshold—open seasons can only be prescribed after wolves are delisted under the Endangered Species Act.
• Structured decision process: It adds mandatory public comment and annual interagency consultations (with agriculture and USDA APHIS) before setting season rules.
• Data-driven approach: It requires that depredation data on livestock and pets, plus other human-wolf conflicts, inform season decisions.
• Plan-based alignment: It requires that any open season stay aligned with the goals of Minnesota’s wolf management plan.

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