News

Wolf numbers reduced in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources preliminary late-winter count indicates a minimum of 658 to 687 wolves in the Badger State. That would be a 19 percent decline from the 809 to 834 counted a year ago. The reduction is within the range projected by the University of Wisconsin models used in creating the state’s quota system.

The annual count is taken at a time when the population is at its lowest point of the year, it should nearly double as pups are born in spring. While the number is down, it is still nearly double the population goal of 350 in the state. The DNR Wolf Advisory Committee is currently reviewing the wolf management plan and will make recommendations regarding the 2014 quota to the Natural Resources Board at its June meeting.

Wolf counts have been conducted every year since the winter of 1979-1980. A combination of radio-telemetry, pilot observations and winter track counts by DNR staff and trained volunteers is used to determine the count.