News
Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approves higher wolf hunt quota
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board went against recommendations by the Department of Natural Resources and raised the fall wolf hunting quota to 300 animals.
DNR wildlife biologists were recommending a quota of 130 wolves saying a conservative number is warranted after the court-ordered February hunt exceeded the quota and because DNR doesn’t have post-hunt population estimates. Most of the board says the state’s wolf population is more than 1,000 and well above the DNR management plan goal of 350 animals.
So far this year, Wisconsin has had 45 confirmed cases of wolves killing livestock or pets and 16 wolf harassment cases. There are another 32 unconfirmed livestock and pet kills believed to be caused by wolves.
The February quota of 200 allowed non-tribal hunters to take 119 animals, and tribes didn’t hunt the 81 allocated to them. 218 wolves were harvested in a shortened February season with half of the quota met within 24 hours.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau commented on the vote Thursday saying, “WFBF is appreciative of the NRB’s action and will continue to advocate for farmers to limit wolf and livestock interactions.” Defenders of Wildlife issued a statement calling the vote irresponsible.
The first realistic press release I have seen on this topic. Sadly, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources attacked the Natural Resources Board for this decision. Typically, when tribes do not use their allotted quota for harvest, no further tribal harvest permits are allocated until at least 15% of the harvest is taken by the six tribes that have these treaty rites. However, in retribution, the DNR may allocate the 40% of quota they are entitled to (50% in ceded territory) if they actually had harvested some of their quota. In 2012, 201 was the wolf quota and 85 was allocated for tribes, which they did not harvest. The following year, in 2013, the quota was 275 and the tribes were given 25. The final year before relisting, 2014, the DNR reduced the overall quota to 156 giving the tribes a quota of six. This procedure is similar to other quota game such as bobcat, bear, and previously, otter. If the DNR allocate the entire tribal quota this fall, their wolf expansionist viewpoint that has been obvious to most of us will again be affirmed. Their attitude towards rural people who live near wolves and farmers is dismissive, insensitive, and frankly demonstrates their extreme prejudice towards the very people whose approval they and the wolves need.