A pilot wolf hunt begins Monday in Saskatchewan’s wildlife management zone 49 in an effort to reduce predation on livestock.
The province’s environment ministry will provide 100 licences in the zone, which runs south along the forest from Carrot River to Greenwater Lake Provincial Park and east along the forest to Hudson Bay.
The hunt will run until March 2015.
Environment minister Scott Moe said Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. has reported an unusually high number of predation claims in the area around Weekes.
“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,” he said.
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Saskatchewan Trappers Association president Don Gordon said trappers support the decision.
“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,” he said.
Licences are available on a first-come basis and must be picked up in person. One per person is available until Jan. 1 and a second licence may be bought if available.
All big game hunting regulations apply, including weapon type, clothing requirements and baiting.
Those with licences will have to report hunting results to the ministry.
