Starting December 15, the Ministry of Environment will offer wolf hunting opportunities in wildlife management zones (WMZ) 49 and 53 to help reduce wolf populations in these agricultural areas.
“We recognize livestock predation caused by wolves is still a significant challenge for producers in some areas and there is a need to extend the program for another year and expand it to an additional zone,” Environment Minister Herb Cox said. “This program is another tool to help control the wolf population and address predation issues in these areas.”
The objective of the hunt is to push the wolves back into the forest, into their natural habitat, and away from farms and ranches. This program will supplement the work of trappers, which is the primary method of controlling the wolf population across the province.
The wolf hunt will run from December 15 to March 31, 2016, and be restricted to WMZ 49 and 53. Zone 49 is in the Weekes and Hudson Bay area and zone 53 is in the Big River and Shellbrook area.
There will be a total of 200 licences available at Ministry of Environment offices in Big River, Spiritwood, Nipawin, Hudson Bay and Greenwater Lake Provincial Park. Each licence will entitle the holder to harvest two wolves.
Licences will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be picked up in person. One licence will be available per person, but a second licence may be purchased if the first one is filled and there are still licences available. Licences are restricted to Saskatchewan residents only.
As a condition of their permit, licence holders will be provided with a reporting sheet and required to report hunting results to the Ministry of Environment.
Hunters are reminded that wolves are considered a big game species and all regulations apply for this hunt.
