Minnesota hunters have killed at least 110 wolves in the first eight days of the state's highly controversial wolf hunt, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The statewide quota for the early hunting season is 200 wolves, which runs through Nov. 18 or until hunters reach the limit.

Hunters in Wisconsin reported killing four wolves in the first 24 hours of the state's wolf hunt. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has set a statewide overall quota of 201 wolves. On Monday, two groups filed a 60-day notice of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the delisting of Great Lakes wolves.

Minnesota hunters registered 32 wolves on the opening day of the state’s first managed wolf hunt in nearly 40 years, the Star Tribune reported. The Department of Natural Resources plans to let hunters and trappers kill 400 wolves out of an estimated population of about 3,000. The limit for early season hunters is 200 wolves.

A significant number of people showed interest in Minnesota's first-ever wolf hunt. More than 23,000 applied for permits but only 6,000 will be awarded. Opponents rallied in downtown Duluth Friday. Wolf advocates say Governor Dayton has the authority to stop the hunt on Nov. 3.

A group opposed to the hunting and trapping of gray wolves is petitioning the Department of Natural Resources to cancel this year's planned wolf hunt in Minnesota. Howling for Wolves also has a billboard campaign in the Twin Cities. The group is rallying at the DNR headquarters in St. Paul on Thursday.

The Game and Fish bill signed into law Thursday allows Minnesotans to legally hunt and trap wolves for the first time in nearly four decades. The legislation gives the DNR authority to set harvest limits and conduct a hunter lottery. About 3,000 wolves live in Minnesota right now and the agency plans to reduce the population by about 400 this fall. The gray wolf was removed from the Federal Endangered Species List in January.

With the gray wolf now off the endangered species list, Minnesota is preparing a fall hunting season that would reduce the state's 3,000 or so wolves by 400. A group opposed to the hunt -- Howling for Wolves -- is taking to the airwaves to try to stop the hunt. Ojibwe bands are also fighting against a wolf hunting season.

Gray wolves will have more protection in northern Minnesota, which is their core habitat. The DNR says livestock and pet owners will be able to protect their animals under the new system. The state takes over wolf management from the federal government next week.