TOWER — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports 50 wolves were killed during the opening weekend of Minnesota’s first managed wolf hunt.

The region’s wolves were taken off the endangered list last January. Minnesota has set a quota of 400 wolves for the season, including the early hunting-only season and a hunting-and-trapping season that begins Nov. 24.

The wolf hunt has been divisive in Minnesota. Howling for Wolves and the Northwoods Wolf Alliance protested in Duluth and on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation near Cloquet over the weekend. Two other groups are planning to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in hopes of putting the wolves back on the endangered species list.

DNR biologists said there are enough wolves in the state to hunt them safely without affecting the overall population.

In related news, Gov. Mark Dayton spoke Friday at the Winona Sportsmen’s Club in association with the annual deer opener, but he didn’t hunt. He does hunt pheasants, not deer.