Minnesota grouse hunter shoots wolf that was chasing dog

October 15, 2012

A Minnesota grouse hunter shot and killed a wolf that attacked and was chasing his dog on state forest land southeast of Park Rapids earlier this month.

By: Park Rapids (Minn.) Enterprise report, Park Rapids Enterprise

                                                                                                                                       Dead wolf

This is a gray wolf that was shot when chasing a hunting dog Oct. 6, 2012, in the Huntersville State Forest in Wadena County. (Photo courtesy Minnesota DNR) A Minnesota grouse hunter shot and killed a wolf that attacked and was chasing his dog on state forest land southeast of Park Rapids earlier this month.

According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Sam Hunter of Park Rapids, two men were grouse hunting on Oct. 6 in the Huntersville State Forest in northern Wadena County. Both had a pair of German shorthaired pointer dogs with them. During the hunt, one of the men’s dogs came dodging back through the woods, yelping. An adult male wolf weighing 90 pounds was in pursuit.

The hunter waited until he could get a clear shot and killed the wolf, Hunter said. She said she could not say with certainty why the wolf became aggressive, but said the hunter was within his legal right to kill the animal. People are allowed to kill wolves to protect themselves, or in the case of immediate harm to pets or livestock, Hunter said. She reported that the wolf was shot from about eight yards away as it closed in on the dogs and the hunter. It was felled with birdshot ammo. The hunters reported the incident immediately, and Hunter photographed the dead animal.

Hunter said such encounters are rare because wolves are notoriously shy of humans.“Enforcement action was not necessary,” she wrote in her weekly report. “It was a frightening experience during a grouse hunting trip that will not soon be forgotten.”

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Grouse hunter who bagged wolf won't face sanctions

Posted by: Curt Brown Updated: October 15, 2012 

 

WADENA COUNTY -- So you're out hunting for grouse with your buddy in Huntersville State Forest. You notice your hunting dog, a German shorthaired pointer, yelping and darting back thruogh the woods. Then you realize a 90-pound wolf is in pursuit of your pooch. So you blast it to death with birdshot from eight yards away.

Are you in trouble with the Department of Natural Resources? Nope.
Park Rapids-based DNR conservation officer Sam Hunter (real name) said in her report of the rare Oct. 6 incident that no enforcement action was necessary because people are allowed to kill wolves if they or their pets or livestock are in jeopardy.

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