Doug Smith

Congressional budget cuts have defanged the federal wolf-control program in Minnesota, stunning state officials who say they aren't allowed to trap, kill or remove wolves that prey on livestock or pets.

The recent changes would effectively end efforts to control a growing population of wolves that killed record numbers of pets and livestock last year.

The Department of Natural Resources was notified Monday that Congress last month wiped out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's program to remove wolves that attack or threaten farm animals and pets. Only authorized federal trappers are allowed to trap or kill the wolves, which otherwise are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.

NEAR APPLETON, Minn. -- Three Canada geese, flying low over a frozen landscape, came straight at us, convinced our 100 decoys scattered in the chiseled corn field were the real deal.

FLAG ISLAND, Minn. -- The sky was dirt gray, a gentle breeze barely ruffled Lake of the Woods' dark waters--and the walleyes were biting.

ON THE RAINY RIVER, Minn. --"Fish on!" Jim Roerig shouted as his 9-foot fishing rod bent in half and line peeled from his reel.

"It's a big one," he said, bracing his feet against the boat's gunwale.

NESTOR FALLS, ONTARIO -- "Oh! Got one!" Pete Dzubay shouted as his ice fishing rod bent under the strain of a 5-pound lake trout tugging in the icy water 40 feet below.

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- A dozen Canada geese flew silently in the foggy, frigid morning air toward us, enticed by 300 decoys scattered on our snowy ridgetop field.