2014/15 Wolf Kill Quota Could Be Aired 5/19 In Wausau

Monday, May 12, 2014

[Updated 12:20 p.m.] Despite questions about the way the Wisconsin wolf count has been determined, the DNR's hunting-stacked Wolf Advisory Committee will meet next week and move towards recommending to the agency how many wolves can be killed by hunters and trappers in the upcoming season.

Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2014/15 Wolf Kill Quota Could Be Aired 5/19 In Wausau Here is one former wolf count stakeholder's account of how the process is shutting out public participation previously encouraged.

The DNR manages an advisory committee web page, but no meeting notes since January have been posted and the committee roster- - remade to significantly increase hunting advocate members - - is not disclosed there.

A final quota will be approved by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and implemented by the DNR.

Last year's quota was 251 - - a huge leap from the previous year's 116 - - despite objections from Native American Ojibwe bands which do not kill wolves and conservationists who say the numbers are decimating the packs for reasons that are more political than scientific.

The Wisconsin wolf season has been pushed by bear hunters and other hunting interests, and given those interests' influence, I'd expect another substantial quota to be recommended.

Here is the meeting information from the DNR:

May 19 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Wausau Howard Johnson Hotel, 2101 North Mountain Road

DNR Wolf Advisory Committee

The committee will develop the 2014 wolf quota recommendation and continue wolf management plan discussions

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