Wolf hunting to be debated

Residents can give their opinions at four local meetings in next two weeks

Jun. 2, 2012  |  

Written by

Karen Madden

Central Wisconsin Sunday

Wisconsin residents will have the chance to give their opinions on the upcoming wolf hunting and trapping season's emergency rules at four meetings the next two weeks.
Once essentially absent from the state, the wolf now has territories in several central Wisconsin counties, including Wood, Portage, Clark and Taylor, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
On Friday, the DNR confirmed a wolf killed a calf in Taylor County May 25. In addition to concerns about livestock, some residents worry wolves could harm hunting dogs or other pets.
"The hunt is long overdue," said John Patterson, 35, Wisconsin Rapids, who trains bird-hunting dogs. "They never should have let the numbers (of wolves) get so high."
Lynda Dombrowski, 29, Wisconsin Rapids, doesn't think a wolf hunting and trapping season is
necessary.


"Why try to kill something people have worked so hard to save?" she asked.
The wolf management plan the DNR currently is operating under indicates that once wolves reach a population of 350, a public harvest would be appropriate, said Kurt Thiede, DNR land division administrator. The DNR estimates the current wolf population at more than 800.
In April, Gov. Scott Walker signed off on a wolf hunting and trapping season in Wisconsin that will take place from Oct. 15 through the end of February.
So far in 2012, the DNR has made $214,794.16 in payments for wolf-related damage, with the largest portion of that, $190,702, coming from missing calves. The total is the highest for any year since the DNR started making payments in 1985.


The four meetings are meant to give state residents a chance to voice their views on the number of permits issued, quotas, hunting zones and specifics regarding trapping equipment. The meetings aren't intended for a discussion on the pros and cons of a hunt, Thiede said.
After gathering the information at the meetings -- set for Spooner, Black River Falls, Fond du Lac and Rhinelander -- the state Natural Resources Board will meet July 17 in Stevens Point to determine the emergency rules. People also will be allowed to share their views at that meeting, Thiede said. The DNR tried to get meetings in places that would be convenient for those areas affected by wolves.
The emergency rules are to get through the 2012-13 wolf hunting and trapping season, Thiede said. The DNR has placed permanent rules for the season on a fast track and expects to have them in place by the time the 2013-14 hunting season starts.

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