Coyote hunting closed in north
SPOONER Wis. – Hunters are reminded that coyote hunting is closed in the
northern third of Wisconsin during the gun-deer season.
This closure extends across northern Wisconsin from east of Wausaukee,
near Michigan on the east, to St. Croix Falls on the Minnesota border on
the west. The coyote closure extends through the gun-deer hunting season
and any Zone T hunts in northern Wisconsin.
The coyote hunting closure during the deer season has been in effect since
1987 to protect the gray (timber) wolf population in Wisconsin, according
to Adrian Wydeven, mammal ecologist with the DNR. Gray wolves are listed
as threatened species by the state and federal government. The state of
Wisconsin is going through a process to remove wolves from the endangered
and threatened species list this fall, and may complete the process
sometime in 2004.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may conduct a federal de-listing
process in 2004 and wolves may possibly be removed from the federal list
in 2005.
“Although most timber wolves generally reside in the heavily forested
portions of the north, and central Wisconsin, some wolves occasionally
travel outside these areas,” Wydeven said.
Coyote hunting will continue to be open across the rest of the state,
including the central forest areas between Black River Falls and Wisconsin
Rapids that currently contain 12 to 13 wolf packs.
Isolated wolf packs or lone wolves may also occur in other areas including
the Mead Wildlife Area in southern Marathon County, Colburn Wildlife Area
in northern Adams County, western Marquette and Washara Counties, Door
County, western Oconto County and possibly other areas of the central
por-tions of the state.
Gray wolves are protected species throughout the state including areas
where coyote hunting is allowed. Deer hunters outside of the closed zone
who plan to shoot coyotes should be careful to identify their targets.
Wydeven said a person shooting a wolf may be fined $5,000 or more, plus
face a prison sentence.
Wolves generally weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, while coyotes are about
20 to 40 pounds. Wolves have long legs and large feet. Shoulder height for
wolves is usually 27 to 33 inches, while coyotes are usually 20 to 22
inches.