DNR says wolf hunt is at least 5 years away

Talk about it

The Department of Natural Resources says it would be at least five years before Wisconsin could have a wolf hunt and it would be a very small one at that.

There’s growing talk about a possible wolf season, after the state’s population of grey wolves increased by 17 percent from last year to a top figure of 662.

A hunt would only be possible if the wolf stays off the federal endangered species list, and the state is allowed to continue with its ongoing management plan.

That plan has been on and off, as the government’s effort to delist the wolf has been challenged in the courts.

On June 15, the Humane Society of the United States went back to federal court to challenge the Obama administration’s latest decision to remove the wolf from the endangered list.

The DNR wants the state’s wolf population to stay about 500, since they help control the deer herd.

Ecologist Adrian Wydeven says any hunting season would be limited perhaps with 30 permits issued in a lottery system.

The agency is also considering the use of trappers before a hunting season takes effect.

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress has asked the DNR to expedite the process for a hunting season, fearing that more wolves may be killed illegally.

The DNR said 14 wolves were killed illegally last year, and 94 total wolves were found dead.

Tags: outdoors, wolf, hunt