Since then, the federal wildlife agency has considered the effective management of gray wolves in Minnesota a critical component in its national gray wolf recovery effort.

CNN: Minnesota wolves considered for delisting

The Minnesota House Agriculture Committee approved a bill March 10 that will allow the hunting and trapping of Minnesota gray wolves as long as the state wolf population exceeds 1, 600 animals.

CNN: Defenders of Wildlife oppose gray wolf bill

"The Minnesota plan represents one of the final chapters in a tremendous gray wolf success story, both here and across the nation, " said Bill Hartwig, regional director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

CNN: Minnesota wolves considered for delisting