Minnesota DNR Responds to Wolf Lawsuit and Petition to Adopt New Rule Stopping 2012-2013 Seasons

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has responded to recent legal challenges to the state’s inaugural wolf season.

DNR filed a memorandum in opposition to petitioner’s motion for a preliminary injunction on the wolf season on Friday, Sept. 28, with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the DNR formally denied a petition for rulemaking that was delivered to the agency on Aug. 9. That petition requested that DNR adopt a new rule to stop the 2012-2013 Minnesota wolf hunting and trapping season.

While DNR will not discuss matters of active or potential litigation, the filed documents and petition response are public information and are available for review on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/wolves by clicking the “Lawsuit Documents” tab.

The agency posted the documents on its website in the name of transparency and openness. DNR Communications Director Chris Niskanen said that “the documents speak for themselves” and that the agency would not be commenting on the case until a court ruling has been issued.

Minnesota’s first-ever wolf season is set to open Nov. 3.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Minnesotacharged with conserving and managing the state's natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managingminerals, wildlife, and forestry. The agency is currently divided into sections Ecological Resources, Enforcement, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Lands and Minerals, Waterways, Parks and Trails, and Waters.