ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is closing the state’s smallest wolf hunting and trapping zone effective Friday evening.

The DNR says nine wolves have been taken in the east-central zone, where the quota is 10 for the late season, which opened Nov. 24.

The DNR also says late-season hunters and trappers have now taken 48 wolves in the northeast zone, which is coming close to the zone’s maximum of 56. That raises the possibility that officials may close the northeast zone before the season sends Jan. 31.

However, the harvest in the less forested northwest zone now stands at 57, well below the target of 187.

This season is Minnesota’s first managed wolf hunt since the animals in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan came off the endangered list in January.

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