Action taken on wolves,….
By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel
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Wolf allocation: Non-tribal hunters and trappers have been allocated a harvest quota of 251 wolves for the 2013-’14 Wisconsin wolf hunting and trapping season, according to a DNR statement released Tuesday.
The remaining 24 wolves in the statewide quota of 275 were allocated to Chippewa Bands as part of a tribal declaration.
The non-tribal allocation represents a 116% increase in kill tags from last year.
“In order to meet management objectives, putting downward pressure on the population, the number of wolves removed from the landscape needs to increase this year,” said Dave MacFarland, DNR large carnivore specialist.
Last year, hunters and trappers killed 117 wolves in Wisconsin, and the state’s wolf population remained stable or slightly declined. Wisconsin had an estimated 809 to 834 wolves in 214 packs in late winter 2013.
Chippewa tribes, which have strongly opposed the wolf hunting and trapping season, were allotted half the tags in the ceded territory last year but elected not to kill a wolf.
The DNR is managing the wolf population toward the goal of 350 wolves established in the 1999 Wisconsin wolf management plan. The plan is being updated and the next version may have a different goal.
The state will hold a lottery Thursday to select 2,510 wolf hunting and trapping license buyers from a pool of 12,108 applicants.
One half of available permits will be issued randomly among all permit applications and the second half will be issued through a cumulative preference point drawing. Successful applicants will be notified by letter. Applicants who are not successful in the drawing will be awarded a preference point toward future drawings.
Out of the total 16,672 applicants this year, 12,108 chose to enter the drawing and 4,564 opted only for a preference point. This compares with 20,270 applicants for 2012, with 17,377 applying for a permit and 2,893 for a preference point.
The state is divided into six harvest zones, same as last year. Quotas by zone for state licensed hunters and trappers will be: Zone 1, 76; Zone 2, 28; Zone 3, 71; Zone 4, 12; Zone 5, 34; Zone 6, 30.
The season is scheduled to begin Oct. 15.
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