With Minnesota’s first wolf hunt season fully underway, 133 wolves have been harvested in the large Northwest Zone, which includes Koochiching County.

On Wednesday, Meadow Kouffeld, DNR assistant wildlife manager in International Falls, said she’d inspected and taken samples from just two wolves — so far.

Kouffeld said she predicted she’d handle more harvested wolves, but said people who traveled north for the season may be registering their wolves at other DNR offices.

One wolf was shot by a hunter near Northome and the other north of Orr. The two wolves she has inspected were male and female. The male had mange, which was noted in the report, and weighed 80 pounds. She said it had good fat reserves and didn’t appear sick. The female weighed 78 pounds and was very healthy, said Kouffeld.

The early season began Saturday and closes Nov. 18 in Series 100 Deer Permit Areas, unless the target harvest of 133 wolves set for Northwest Zone is achieved earlier. The season in the East Central Zone closed Monday after eight wolves were harvested. The target for that zone is nine. The season in Series 200 Deer Permit Areas closes Sunday.

Kouffeld said hunters must register the wolf they kill by phone, internet or at an electronic licensing station by 10 p.m. the day of harvest.

After registering the wolf, hunters must bring the carcass and hide to be inspected by DNR staff. Inspection of harvested animals is conducted on Tuesdays at the DNR Office on Highway 11 East, or by appointment. Kouffeld can be reached at 386-5434. Kouffeld inspected the two wolves she’s sampled Monday and Tuesday night.

Kouffeld and other DNR agents are collecting samples from the wolves harvested in this first-ever Minnesota season to better understand the state’s wolf population, assist in future management decisions, and to consider the health of the population.

When a wolf is brought in for inspection, Kouffeld said an upper first premolar is taken to help determine the animals age. The reproductive tract — uterus, ovaries and ova ducts — of female wolves is taken and Kouffeld said the animal is inspected for placental scars to help estimate how many pups a female may have given birth to the previous year and to measure the reproductive rate.

In addition, tissue samples from the kidney, liver and muscle are taken, she said. Muscle is used for genetic analysis and the other samples help determine the presence of toxins, including lead.

Kouffeld reminded hunters that they ought to bring their carcass to the DNR with its entrails in tact.

“The problem is that they’re bringing the wolf in gutted,” she said. “The guts are important.”

Once the samples are taken, the hunter may dispose of the carcass and keep the skull, she said.

The DNR encourages hunters to check the DNR website, mndnr.gov/hunting/wolf, for the status of the season in a particular zone because it could close early when targets are reached. Hunters may also call 888-706-6367 for the information.

Wolves may be taken by permitted hunters by firearm or bow and arrow legal for big game.

Traps and snares will be allowed for licensed, late-season wolf trappers only. The late season begins Nov. 24 and closes Jan. 31. The season will close earlier if harvest targets are reached. The statewide bag limit is one wolf.

Animals must be tagged per the instructions printed on a hunter’s wolf license and site tag.

Radio collars and ear tags must be retained and turned into DNR at the time of carcass and pelt inspection, which occurs after the season in a particular wolf zone closes.

Hunters may not party hunt for wolves, possess the site tag of another wolf hunter or trapper, or use a dog or a horse to take a wolf while hunting or trapping.

Complete registration information is available on page 8 of the wolf hunting regulations. Questions should be directed to an area wildlife office.