This is a watchdog organization dedicated to protecting the rights of hunters, landowners, and sportsmen in the state of MN.

Two nights ago, there was a meeting in the small town of Morrill, MN regarding the overpopulation of wolves in the state. There were around 300 sportsmen in attendance. Their goal is to open a season on the harvesting of wolves in the state. It was determined that the state has lost a lot of revenue from former deer hunters who have stopped purchasing licenses, particularly in the northern part of the state because of exceptionally low numbers of deer due to wolf predation. The group will use whatever legal means possible to lobby for a hunting and trapping season on wolves.

Governor Walz has said he would veto any bill allowing the taking of wolves in the state.

It's getting off to a strong start. Dedicated bunch of guys pushing it. Very worthy goals. I hope a lot of the MN guys on here check it out. It is a group that is actually trying to do something for the sportsman in MN.

I missed the meeting up here but most people that went left with a positive impression of what they are trying to accomplish.

I'm going to support them

The first step is to get rid of Walz. Good luck with that. Then there's all those pesky Federal problems.

I have been counting deer since rifle season ended in mid Nov. I have seen 4 alive, and 3 road kills. Even if the wolf problem was solved tomorrow it's going to take a lot of years to get the numbers up. I'm currently cutting firewood on a 200 acre farm that doesn't have one track in the snow in the last week. I'm personally going to have a hard time buying a license and burning vacation days next year to look at squirrels.

A guy who works at Camp Ripley said there are several wolf packs there now. The deer numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.

Howling for Wolves have been running ads in the past week on TV. They claim that wolves MOVE the deer, not kill them.

I hunt not far from the west fence. The deer anymbers are not declined, they are decimated.

I used to hunt the camp 40 years or so ago. It was unusual not to see 20 deer a day. Now, it's a good day if you see any, from what I've heard.

they kind of repeat themselves, "hunters, landowners and sportsmen".
Aren't hunters and sportsmen essentially the same? Unless one thinks hunters aren't sportsmen.
Would make more sense to say just "hunters and landowners".

That aside a hunter and a landowner could have 2 very different opinions on wolves.
As a landowner I would want wolves cause there is too many deer, hunting usually does not keep the numbers in check as much as they should be to get the best environmental results.
I'm sure most farmers who grow crops or have orchards would be happy to have the deer herd cut in half or more. Landowners who are primarily concerned about timber or trees (x-mas trees) also would love to less deer.
As a hunter I'd want as many deer as possible no matter if the result was bad for the environment.

Its sad that everyone is thinking about themselves first instead of whats best for the environment.

Myself I can see and understand both sides of the argument.
I don't think the group is speaking for most landowners.
Don't know for sure tho.

I was told there were over 500 at that meeting. Regardless it was alot. I think there is at least 10 more meetings planned. I think the no.1 goal is to get the wolves taken off the endangered species list.

Well then They should issue more deer tags...Un huntable - Un Trappable anything ...Especially Wolves just breed kill and destroy - Everything Needs managed

The term "landowners" paints with a broad brush. That could include cow/calf operations, crop farmers, forest management land, deer hunting land, a deer camp near public land, lake cabin, etc. Opinions on wolf management would vary considerably.

While it is good to see folks speaking out on the lack of any wolf management at all, I doubt this group will get much traction if they come off as simply advocating to kill them all so we can have more deer. What is needed is an actual management plan that sets reasonable population goals for wolves as well as deer and moose, active management to meet those goals, while utilizing the available harvestable surplus.

Sure they do...until they catch up

Sportsmen are hunters and sportsmen would also include trappers, fishermen, and others engaged in outdoor activities.
Landowners trying to raise livestock, particularly in the northern areas of our state are very concerned regarding the number of wolves. Some areas their pets have been killed by wolves. Some consider it dangerous for their small children to be playing in their yard without an adult present.
In areas farther south where there is an abundance of deer, additional tags are issued. That abundance of deer may change, as the growing wolf population is migrating further south.

Walleye, nobody wants to kill all the wolves, but you are right. They need to be managed.

Well put.
Trouble is with "reasonable population goals" part. Reasonable to who? deer hunters? farmers? naturalists? Insurance companies? Lots of opposite versions of "reasonable".

If there was no intervention from man wolves would continue to expand and eventually thin the over populated deer herd. The wolves and deer would reach a relative balance that would most likely tilt back and forth but not allow gross overpopulations of either one. That range of back and forth is where the deer and wolves should be maintained and harvest should not sway either one way out of line.

Bad things happen when any wild animal looses it fear of man. That goes for both wolves and deer.

The previous Wolf seasons on Minn. had a very coservative quota set. The hunt and Trapping filled that quote fast and Everything went smooth ....those goals seemed small but even that was a start and Managing them was all that We wanted.