State wildlife officials say people illegally killed at least seven wolves during the gun deer season last month.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State wildlife officials say people illegally killed at least seven wolves during the gun deer season last month.

The Department of Natural Resources says four of the wolves were being monitored with radio collars. Hunters found the other three dead and reported them. The shootings are under investigation.

A total of 31 wolves have been killed illegally during November deer hunts between 2006 and 2011.

The DNR has called for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the wolf from the federal endangered species list in Wisconsin. The agency estimated the state was home to at least 782 wolves last winter, far surpassing the state management goal of 350.