MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota enters a new era Saturday when it opens its first managed wolf hunting season.

The region’s wolves came off the endangered list last January, and Minnesota has set a quota of 400 wolves for the season, which includes an early hunting-only season that opens Saturday and a hunting-and-trapping season opening Nov. 24.

Dan Stark a wolf specialist with the Department of Natural Resources, says he expects hunters will take about 70 wolves in the early season.

Wisconsin hunters and trappers have taken more than 40 wolves since their season opened Oct. 15.

Wolf hunting opponents lost when they went to court to try to block Minnesota’s season. Howling for Wolves plans to protest outside DNR headquarters in St. Paul Friday and at Lake Superior Plaza West in Duluth Saturday.