SaveONWildlife's video: Wolf Advocates Converge On Duluth

The Midwest Wolf Stewards (MWS) Conference has been happening in the Great Lakes Region since the 1980's and this year the annual event is in Duluth. Officials say this years conference drew in bigger crowds than ever before. It could be due to feds recently taking wolves off the endangered species list. This week the Minnesota House is expected to vote on a bill that would start a wolf hunting season in the state. Jess Edberg organized the this years MWS conference. She says the event is there for the public, not just wolf experts. "The goal is to provide information and help people become more informed about wolves in the great lakes area," she said. "I think, understanding wolves is definitely a personal choice. However, for folks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, it's one of our natural resources." Edberg said. This year's man topic is wolf hunting in the region, prompting a bigger crowd than usual. "The primary reason that wolf hunting is coming up now is because wolves were de-listed. So, they're no longer federally protected and there's a little bit more leniency on how wolves are handled state by state," Edberg said. The Minnesota House will vote on a gaming and fishing bill this week that would start the wolf hunting season process. Edberg says the public needs to educate themselves before making any personal decisions. "Just an understanding about wolves and being empowered with knowledge is important for residents if they want to be involved in the decision making process," she said. There is not a wolf hunting season in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan yet. However, Wisconsin will have one soon. A set date has not been determined yet.