MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin’s first organized wolf hunt got under way Monday even as animal welfare advocates demanded federal officials return Great Lake wolves to the endangered species list.

Federal officials placed gray wolves on the endangered species list in 1974. Today, wildlife officials estimate as many as 850 wolves roam Wisconsin and another 3,000 live in Minnesota.

The Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals sent notice Monday to the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it will sue if Great Lakes wolves aren’t placed back on the endangered species list within 60 days.