Wolf Numbers On the Increase

It appears deer hunters have been competing with timber wolves for their favorite prey. 

Cary Shoutz, DNR Conservation Officer in the Crosslake area, says hunting has become more challenging in the Emily, Outting and Aitkin areas.  Hunters in those areas have reported, when they see wolves, they don't see deer. 

Shoutz wolves like the remote country.  He anticipates competing interests will get together to form a management plan, that may result in harvesting the top predator. 

Despite the increased wolf numbers, Shoutz says the deer harvest in the Brainerd area is up 14 percent.