REGINA – A pilot program is launching in Saskatchewan to try and control the province’s wolf population.
Next week, the province will begin allowing licenced hunters to reduce the wolf population in areas where a high number of livestock have been killed.
The wolf hunt will run from September 15th to March 31st, 2015 and is restricted to Wildlife Management Zone 49. The region includes areas south along the forest from Carrot River to Greenwater Lake Provincial Park, then east along the forest to Hudson Bay.
“Saskatchewan Crop Insurance has reported an unusually high number of livestock predation claims in the Weekes area, and wolves are suspected as the cause in most cases,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said.
“Although the ministry supports licensed trapping as the primary control method for managing wolf populations, we hope the wolf hunt pilot will help address and alleviate the problem in this specific area.”
There will be 100 licences available on first-come, first-served basis at the Ministry of Environment offices in Nipawin, Hudson Bay and Greewater Lake Provincial Park.
“The Saskatchewan Trappers Association supports the decision to use a licensed wolf hunt to reduce wolves in this specific area,” Saskatchewan Trappers Association President Don Gordon said.
“The season dates should provide the opportunity to hunt a wolf when the pelt is prime, and will still allow northern trappers to use their skills and knowledge to trap wolves within the forest.”
As a condition of the wolf permit, licence holders must report hunting results to the Ministry of Environment.
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