Associated Press
The kill of 257 wolves by hunters and trappers in 2013 reduced the wolf population by 19%, according to the DNR.
Wausau
— The state's Wolf Advisory Committee recommended a harvest quota of
156 wolves for the 2014-'15 Wisconsin hunting and trapping season, down
from a kill goal of 251 in 2013. This year's
quota would still be designed to reduce the wolf population but at a
slower rate than in 2013, said Dave MacFarland, Department of Natural
Resources large carnivore specialist.
The committee met Monday to review harvest models and develop a recommendation for this year's wolf season. The committee is advisory; DNR executives will consider its recommendation as the agency forwards a quota request to the Natural Resources Board. In 2013 the DNR did not change the committee's recommendation.
The meeting is the latest development as Wisconsin wrestles with how best to manage wolves.
Since the state assumed management of the species in 2012, the DNR has been working to reduce the wolf population toward a late winter minimum count of 350 wolves expressed in the 1999 Wisconsin wolf management plan. However, the biological carrying capacity is much higher than 350. The agency is working to identify the state's social carrying capacity as it updates the wolf management plan this year.
The kill of 257 wolves by hunters and trappers in 2013 reduced the wolf population by 19%, according to the DNR. Wisconsin had an estimated minimum population of 638 to 667 wolves at the end of the winter 2013-'14.
The wolf population typically doubles in spring after pups are born then declines from various causes to an annual low in late winter. Population estimates are conducted in winter when the population is near its low and when the animals are easiest to track and count.
The Wolf Advisory Committee consists of DNR biologists and wildlife managers, several federal agency representatives, a representative of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and several stakeholder groups, including the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Wisconsin Trappers Association, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association and the Timber Wolf Alliance.
Since members vary widely in their views on wolves and consensus on a quota was impossible, they were asked to submit their preferred harvest number on a piece of paper. The submissions ranged from 0 to 300, with a mean of 156. Eleven members preferred a quota of fewer than 150 wolves; nine wanted a quota higher than 160.
Based on two models of the impact of human-caused mortality on wolf populations, a kill of 156 wolves this fall in Wisconsin would result in a population reduction ranging from 5 to 20%, MacFarland said.
The models also factor in mortality from car collisions and depredation control efforts. Non-hunting and trapping mortality to wolves is estimated at 14% annually, said Jen Stenglein, DNR wildlife researcher.
The committee recommended the proposed quota of 156 animals be split among the state's six wolf management zones as: 33 wolves in Zone 1, 16 in 2, 41 in 3, 9 in 4, 21 in 5 and 36 in 6. "Some of you are disappointed the quota isn't higher, others are unhappy it isn't lower," MacFarland said. "But I think this in keeping with our goal of putting downward pressure on the wolf population in a responsible way."
The committee also voted to issue the same ratio of permits (10 times the quota) used in the previous two wolf hunting and trapping seasons. If the harvest quota is 156, the state would issue 1,560 kill permits. Al Lobner, representing the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, said he was "vociferously opposed" to the quota of 156 wolves. He advocated for 300.
The Humane Society of the United States, though not represented on the committee, suggested the DNR suspend the wolf season as well as end "the unsporting practices of hounding, trapping, baiting and electronically calling wolves," said Melissa Tedrowe, Wisconsin director of HSUS. Tedrowe also called for the agency to reconstitute the committee to "better represent Wisconsin's citizens." The HSUS was a member of the state's wolf committee until two years ago.
Several American Indians also spoke at the meeting in opposition to the state's wolf hunting and trapping season. "The wolves were here first," said Diana Miller, a member of the Menominee Tribe. "They never needed to be managed. Look at what you're doing, killing the wolves and Mother Earth."
MacFarland said he would present the committee's recommendations to DNR executives this week. The agency will then produce its recommendation to the Natural Resources Board.
The Natural Resource Board is expected to vote on the 2014-'15 wolf quota at its June 25 meeting in Milwaukee.
source
The committee met Monday to review harvest models and develop a recommendation for this year's wolf season. The committee is advisory; DNR executives will consider its recommendation as the agency forwards a quota request to the Natural Resources Board. In 2013 the DNR did not change the committee's recommendation.
The meeting is the latest development as Wisconsin wrestles with how best to manage wolves.
Since the state assumed management of the species in 2012, the DNR has been working to reduce the wolf population toward a late winter minimum count of 350 wolves expressed in the 1999 Wisconsin wolf management plan. However, the biological carrying capacity is much higher than 350. The agency is working to identify the state's social carrying capacity as it updates the wolf management plan this year.
The kill of 257 wolves by hunters and trappers in 2013 reduced the wolf population by 19%, according to the DNR. Wisconsin had an estimated minimum population of 638 to 667 wolves at the end of the winter 2013-'14.
The wolf population typically doubles in spring after pups are born then declines from various causes to an annual low in late winter. Population estimates are conducted in winter when the population is near its low and when the animals are easiest to track and count.
The Wolf Advisory Committee consists of DNR biologists and wildlife managers, several federal agency representatives, a representative of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and several stakeholder groups, including the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Wisconsin Trappers Association, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association and the Timber Wolf Alliance.
Since members vary widely in their views on wolves and consensus on a quota was impossible, they were asked to submit their preferred harvest number on a piece of paper. The submissions ranged from 0 to 300, with a mean of 156. Eleven members preferred a quota of fewer than 150 wolves; nine wanted a quota higher than 160.
Based on two models of the impact of human-caused mortality on wolf populations, a kill of 156 wolves this fall in Wisconsin would result in a population reduction ranging from 5 to 20%, MacFarland said.
The models also factor in mortality from car collisions and depredation control efforts. Non-hunting and trapping mortality to wolves is estimated at 14% annually, said Jen Stenglein, DNR wildlife researcher.
The committee recommended the proposed quota of 156 animals be split among the state's six wolf management zones as: 33 wolves in Zone 1, 16 in 2, 41 in 3, 9 in 4, 21 in 5 and 36 in 6. "Some of you are disappointed the quota isn't higher, others are unhappy it isn't lower," MacFarland said. "But I think this in keeping with our goal of putting downward pressure on the wolf population in a responsible way."
The committee also voted to issue the same ratio of permits (10 times the quota) used in the previous two wolf hunting and trapping seasons. If the harvest quota is 156, the state would issue 1,560 kill permits. Al Lobner, representing the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, said he was "vociferously opposed" to the quota of 156 wolves. He advocated for 300.
The Humane Society of the United States, though not represented on the committee, suggested the DNR suspend the wolf season as well as end "the unsporting practices of hounding, trapping, baiting and electronically calling wolves," said Melissa Tedrowe, Wisconsin director of HSUS. Tedrowe also called for the agency to reconstitute the committee to "better represent Wisconsin's citizens." The HSUS was a member of the state's wolf committee until two years ago.
Several American Indians also spoke at the meeting in opposition to the state's wolf hunting and trapping season. "The wolves were here first," said Diana Miller, a member of the Menominee Tribe. "They never needed to be managed. Look at what you're doing, killing the wolves and Mother Earth."
MacFarland said he would present the committee's recommendations to DNR executives this week. The agency will then produce its recommendation to the Natural Resources Board.
The Natural Resource Board is expected to vote on the 2014-'15 wolf quota at its June 25 meeting in Milwaukee.
source
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