The BoomerWolf Page - Minnesota Wolves

minnwolv.gif (8566 bytes)

Minnesota is the first state to have to deal with the return of the wolf. What happens in Minnesota will set the tone of how the rest of the United States will treat the wolf.

TIME LINE

miinmap.gif (3530 bytes)

1849

Bounty of $3.00 per wolf is declared by the State of Minnesota.

1893

Bounty increased to $15.00 per female wolf, $5.00 per pup and male wolf.

1950s

Wolf population estimated to be 600 animals.

1965

Wolf bounty ends.

1969

Minnesota Department of Conservation picks up where bounty killing left off and starts killing wolves.

1974

Wolf is declared an endangered species and is protected.

1975

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service begins killing wolves as part of a predator control program.

1978

Wolves in Minnesota reduced from endangered to threatened.

1980

Wolf population estimated to be 1,300 animals.

1984

State of Minnesota tries to make wolves a sporting animal so they may be killed by hunters. The state is struck down by environmental group actions.

1989

Wolf population estimated to be 1,600 animals.

1990

Wolf depredation occurs at 55 farms. The U.S. Government traps and kills 91 wolves.

1996

Wolf population estimated at 2,300 animals.

1996

Wolf depredation occurs at 93 farms. The U.S. Government traps and kills 216 wolves.

The wolf was eliminated from most parts of the United States by the 1920s. The only population remaining, other than scattered single wolves, was in Minnesota.

The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. The wolf was listed as endangered in 1974 and became a protected animal. The endangered species act also required that the United States government to put in place a plan to recover the wolf.

minnart1.gif (4516 bytes)

After many years of protection, wolves have made a tremendous come back in Minnesota. Several groups of very caring people have helped this to happen. One such group is the Defenders of Wildlife. They have been responsible for making sure the United States government does what it is required to do: BRING THE WOLVES BACK!

It is expected that Minnesota will be the first success as far as the wolf is concerned. However, there is still much work to do.

Currently, the State of Minnesota

is holding community meetings about how to handle the wolves once they are no longer considered endangered.

Let us try to understand why some people do not like wolves.

Very few people have ever seen a wild wolf. Have you? Probably not. So, most people learn about wolves at an early age from stories such as:

"Little Red Riding Hood"

"The Three Little Pigs"

miinart5.gif (2939 bytes)

In these stories, wolves are the bad guys. So, if you grow up being told wolves are bad and mean, you would believe it. This has happened to many people and is why some of do not like wolves. They just need to learn more about wolves, like you are doing.

Farmers and Ranchers - This is a special group of people who make their living raising farm animals. Sometimes wolves will kill farm animals. Farmers and ranchers don't like this.

Not all famers and ranchers do not like wolves. Some farmers and ranchers like wolves and want to see them back here.

Farmers and ranchers can use dogs to protect their livestock. This works real well and keeps the wolves away. This is one way in which humans and wolves can live together.

"IT IS NO SECRET WHAT I LIKE.

I LIKE WOLVES AND I LIKE ME.

miinart6.jpg (5610 bytes)

REMEMBER

"It is up to you to make sure wolves and other wildlife always have a place to live in this world."

"THIS IS THE BOOMERWOLF, SIGNING OFF."