Are there more wolves than we actually thought? What is there range?

Now that states have taken over wolf management, these are pretty common questions. In Minnesota, hunters are hoping for answers.

From the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association:

With the recent delisting of wolves from the Endangered Species Act, and the return of the wolf to state management, a new interest has spawned asking if wolves have expanded within Minnesota. Currently, the Minnesota DNR is proposing a wolf population and range expansion survey to run from fall 2012 through early spring 2013.

MDHA’s members are expressing great interest as well. So, MDHA devised a “Report Zone “B” Wolf sightings” web survey page to allow MDHA members and nonmembers to report their documented wolf sightings across the entirety of Minnesota that is considered “Zone B” or non-wolf range.

(Minnesota hunters) can report your Zone “B” wolf sightings will require that you provide photo documentation as well as geographic information (township/range/section or gps coordinates) and your contact information.

Our objective is to collect documented & verifiable wolf sighting information in wolf Zone “B” and to provide this data to DNR for consideration toward the 2012/2013 MN wolf survey.

To participate in MDHA’s Zone “B” wolf sighting survey keep your camera or camera phone handy for that rare moment when you may see a wolf. Better yet, MDHA recommends that you use a digital trail cameras set out with a bait or scent attractant in an area you believe wolves frequent. Hopefully you will get some excellent wolf photos, but undoubtedly you will gather some very interesting wildlife photos of all types.

Good luck with your photo hunt!