DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota grouse hunter was forced to kill a wolf that attacked his dog on state forest land near Park Rapids.

According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Sam Hunter, two men were grouse hunting Oct. 6 in the Huntersville State Forest in northern Wadena County.

The Duluth News Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/Tlx7I8 ) during the hunt, one of their dogs was yelping and dodging through the woods, with a wolf in pursuit.

The hunter shot the wolf with birdshot ammo from about eight yards away as it closed in on the dogs and the hunter.

Hunter says people are allowed to kill wolves to protect themselves, or in the case of immediate harm to pets or livestock. Hunter says such encounters are rare because wolves are shy of humans.

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com

Copyright 2012 The AP.