MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A court hearing is set for August 29th on a lawsuit that challenges Wisconsin’s new wolf hunting season.

Environmental and animal rights groups sued the DNR earlier this month. They said the agency had no business allowing hunting dogs to help sniff out wolves – and it would result in violent confrontations between the two groups of animals.

The plaintiffs are asking a Dane County judge to issue a temporary injunction that would delay the wolf season while the lawsuit is being considered. The season is scheduled to run from mid-October through the end of February.

The animal rights groups also contend that the wolf hunt would not be popular with hunters – but the DNR disagrees. As of Monday, just over 10,000 people have applied for about 2,000 available wolf hunting permits. That’s 5 applicants for every permit, and all but 200 of the applicants so far are from Wisconsin.

The deadline to apply is August 31st with the DNR.