Minnesota hunters didn't waste any time picking up leftover early season wolf hunting licenses.  In fact, it took less than 5 minutes.

The last chance to buy an early season wolf hunting license in Minnesota was on Monday October 29, beginning at noon. On Monday, 614 early season licenses remained available for eligible hunters. Licenses were sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, and if you didn’t come right away, you undoubtedly missed your chance. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that all 614 surplus licenses sold out within five minutes of sale.

Hunters whose names were drawn in a lottery to purchase one of 3,600 available early season licenses had until midnight, October 24 to buy a license. Not everyone purchased one and after the deadline, there were still 614 early season licenses available.

In an interview with Star Tribune, DNR Fish and Wildlife Division Director Ed Boggess said, “I heard they were gone in 3 1/2 minutes.”

Boggess reported that there was a line of hunters anxious to get their license at the DNR’s headquarters in St. Paul. Hunters could also purchase the license at a electronic terminal scattered at 1,500 locations statewide.

But it’s not over yet. Those hunters selected in the lottery drawing for a late-season license have until November 15 to purchase one. If the total 2,400 late-season licenses are not all sold, those who were not chosen by lottery to purchase a license may do so beginning at noon on November 19. Licenses will be available to the general public on November 21 should there be any leftover.

As of October 25, the DNR sold 680 late season wolf hunting licenses and 332 resident trapping licenses. That means that of the 6,000 total licenses offered by the DNR, 3,998 have been sold total.