Appendix A
Wolf Depredation 1976-1997
By Robert C. Willging, Adrian P. Wydeven,
Randy L. Jurewicz, and Kelly Thiel.
Depredation by wolves on livestock or pets has been a rare event since
the return of wolves to Wisconsin in the mid 1970's. These depredations
will continue to be infrequent events, but will increase somewhat as the
wolf population expands.
Wolf depredations have generally been handled by U.S.Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), Wisconsin DNR (WDNR), or USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Service
(APHIS-WS). Complaints were generally investigated by USFWS and WDNR in
the 1970's and 1980's, and since 1990 have mostly been investigated by
APHIS-WS. The WDNR has provided payments for losses caused by state
endangered and threatened species since 1984, using moneys from the
Endangered Resources Check-Off Funds. Live trapping of depredating
wolves has been done by WDNR and APHIS-WS. Under federal endangered
status, euthanizing of depredating wolves was not allowed in Wisconsin,
and live-captured wolves were relocated from depredating sites.
Table A1 lists all known cases of wolf depredation on pets and livestock
in Wisconsin from 1976 through 1997. Most of these cases represent
confirmed depredations, but a few also represent probable depredation
where strong circumstantial evidence existed of wolf depredation.
Thirty-one cases of wolf depredation occurred in Wisconsin during the 22
year period including 23 calves, 12 sheep, 140 turkeys, and 16 dogs
killed. Payments on wolf depredations totalled $38,340.90 including
$8,609.75 payments on livestock and $29,731.15 payments on dogs.
During the 22 year period at least 104 wolf complaints were investigated
by agency personnel, but only 31 were confirmed as probable wolf
depredation. Most depredations were caused by coyotes or other animals.
Sixteen depredations occurred on livestock on 11 different farms in
northern Wisconsin. Wolf depredation on livestock occurred on 6 farms
in Douglas County and one farm each in Burnett, Oneida, Price, Taylor
and Washburn Counties. The 10 counties of northern Wisconsin that
included wolf pack territories in the period 1990-1997, contained 3,190
farms with 103,800 cattle and 3,700 sheep. Therefore wolf depredation
has affected only 0.3% of farms in the area. Live trapping was used on
5 occasions and 3 wolves were translocated from farms (2 long distance
moves of 150+ miles and 1 local relocation of 5 miles).
Fifteen cases of depredation on dogs were documented in Wisconsin
including death of 16 dogs and injury on 5 dogs. Of these 21 dogs, 19
were attacked while being used for hunting or training on predators, and
2 were non-hunting dogs roaming in wildland areas.
Twelve dog depredations occurred while hunting or training on bear. All
wolf attacks occurred on free-roaming dogs. Most wolf attacks occurred
when dogs approached den, rendezvous sites, or kills (prey) being
defended by wolves. Depredation on dogs represent 78% of reimbursement
payments provided by the WDNR. Reimbursements for payments on hunting
dogs may no longer be available once wolves are state delisted.
Some expansion of wolf depredation will likely occur in the future.
Once wolves are reclassified to a federally threatened species,
euthanization of depredating wolves will be permitted in Wisconsin.
Generally only wolves that are habitual depredators on livestock would
be euthanized. New funds will need to be located to provided
reimbursement payments for wolf depredation on livestock once wolves are
delisted in Wisconsin.
Hunter education may be necessary to reduce wolf depredation on dogs.
Hunters need to become familiarized with wolf sign, and avoid sending
hounds into areas where wolf activity is concentrated. Hound hunters
will need to train dogs to avoid wolves.
Table A1 - Wisconsin Wolf Depredation Cases: 1976-1997
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