The state finalized a 300-animal limit this week for the upcoming fall wolf hunt even after recommendations to lower the quota. This comes after hunters killed more animals than expected during the February 2021 season.
State officials proposed that the approaching wolf hunt be limited to 130 wolves because, during the previous season, 218 wolves were killed within four days. Putting that into perspective, that’s almost 100 animals over the set quota.
Scientists behind the lower proposal explained that the best way to go about the next season is to take a conservative approach since the impact of the February hunt is still unknown.
Some board members pushed back stating that the population is still significantly above the DNR’s goal of 350 wolves and that the limit should be higher than in the past in order to protect livestock from wolf attacks. In the end, the board voted 5-2 to ignore the department’s recommendation and they set the quota at 300 wolves for the fall season.
In the past, Wisconsin held three seasons between 2012 and 2014, before the animal was placed back on the endangered species list and have since been taken off once again.
As far as the upcoming hunt goes, licensed hunters could have a limit lower than 300 wolves because the state’s Chippewa tribes are entitled to claim up to 50% of the season limit in their territory.
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