DRAFT
WISCONSIN WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
by the
WISCONSIN WOLF ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The gray wolf returned to Wisconsin in the mid-1970's and was listed as a state endangered species in 1975. A state recovery plan, initiated in 1989, set a goal for reclassifying the wolf from state endangered to threatened once the population remained at 80 or more wolves for 3 consecutive years. By 1998, the population had increased to 178 wolves, and had been at 80 or more since 1995. Therefore the Wisconsin DNR, Wolf Advisory Committee has begun the process of reclassifying wolves from endangered to threatened, and developed a draft plan to manage wolves as a threatened and eventually as a delisted species. Efforts have also begun to downlist the gray wolf as federally threatened, or delisted and work on federal reclassification may begin in 1999.

The Wolf Advisory Committee recommends delisting from state threatened to a nonlisted, nongame species when the wolf population reaches 250 animals. A management goal of a minimum of 350 is recommended. No maximum goal has been established due to unknown social tolerance. Public harvest will be considered 5 years after approval of this plan if the population exceeds minimum management goals and social tolerance has been exceeded.

Fourteen strategies were developed for managing wolves. These include:

1. managing wolves in 4 different management zones and core areas;
2. intensely monitoring wolf populations through threatened status and delisted status;
3. monitoring wolf health;
4. cooperatively managing wolf habitat;
5. promoting public education on wolves;
6. controlling nuisance wolves and reimbursing landowners for losses caused by wolves;
7. establishing regulations for adequate legal protection of threatened and non-listed
8. encouraging interagency cooperation;
9. establishing a system for program guidance;
10. encouraging programs for volunteer assistance on wolf conservation;
11. recommending future research needs;
12. regulating wolf-dog hybrids and captive wolves
13. establish a protocol for handling wolf specimens;
14. encouraging reasonable ecotourism of wolves and their habitats.

Four zones will be used to manage wolves. ( See Figure 7) Management actions will vary according to wolf population status. (Table 1). Zone 1 consists of Northern Forest deer management units and Menominee County. Within Zone 1, core areas (approximately 3,227 mi²) consisting primarily of public land will provide nearly complete protection. Limited control would be allowed outside core areas.

Zone 2 includes Central Forest deer management units. No core areas are recommended here and limited control would be allowed for handling nuisance wolves.

Zone 3 consists of areas south of Zone 1 and surrounding Zone 2. Protection would be provided for dispersing wolves but more liberal control would be allowed for handling nuisance wolves.

Zone 4 represents areas with little or no wolf habitat where liberal control would be allowed on problem wolves.

Wolf population and health monitoring would remain intense for the foreseeable future and will include radiotelemetry tracking, wolf howl surveys, and track surveys.

Cooperative management of wolf habitat will continue to be recommended for a threatened and delisted wolf population in suitable habitat. Habitat management would include access management, vegetation management, protecting corridor habitat, and protecting den and rendezvous sites. Management of wolf packs living within Native American reservation boundaries will be coordinated with tribal governments.

Depredation control activity will focus on preventive methods while also providing adequate control of nuisance wolves. Once wolves are reclassified to state threatened, wolves that are verified habitual killers of livestock may be euthanised. Wolf control activity will not be carried out in core areas in Zone 1. Once wolves are state delisted, euthanisation of depredating wolves may be permitted by landowners, or law enforcement officers. Proactive control may be used by government trappers in areas with historical wolf problems outside of core areas, after the population management goal (350) has been exceeded.

Public education about wolves will continue to be an important strategy of wolf conservation in Wisconsin. Education will involve preparation of special education material, work with cooperating organizations to promote education on wolves, provide special training on wolf management to agency personnel, and continue agency presentations on wolves. The efforts will emphasize the positive aspects of wolves to Wisconsin's forest ecosystems.

Specific regulations will need to be developed for wolves listed as threatened or delisted. Regulations will focus on maintaining a high level of protection, even for a delisted wolf population.

Cooperation among various federal, state, county, local and tribal governments will be an important aspect of future wolf conservation in Wisconsin. A Wisconsin DNR Wolf Advisory Committee will continue to incorporate a diverse group of individuals to address policy and management concerns.

The Wolf Advisory Committee will periodically review wolf management in Wisconsin. Policy or management changes will be recommended to the Department of Natural Resources Land Leadership Team for Natural Resource Board approval. The wolf management plan will be reviewed every 5 years.

Volunteer programs will be used to provide education on wolves and assist with wolf population surveys. Research will continue to be used to address management concerns as wolf populations increase and emphasis will be on developing accurate and economical survey techniques, as well as continued evaluation of future impacts on wolf populations and their habitats.

The DNR recommends regulating private ownership of wolves and wolf-dog hybrids. Legislative authorization may be sought to expand the agency’s authority to control free-roaming wolf-dog hybrids.

Wolf Management costs will remain at approximately $120,000 per year, excluding depredation costs, for the next five years. The Wolf Committee recommends against using hunting, fishing or trapping license monies for wolf management. Reimbursement should be made to owners who have lost pets or livestock lost to wolves.; costs are estimated at $20,000 to $40,000 per year when wolves have reached management goals. The cost of removing depredating wolves and either translocating them to suitable habitat or euthanizing them is estimated at $15,000 to $30,000.

By its nature the Gray Wolf interests not only traditional hunters but many persons who are interested in nature viewing, photography, hiking and nature study. As an apex species the management of wolves impacts other forest species. It is appropriate for funding for wolf management to come from alternative funding sources instead of traditional license fees or strictly from endangered resources funding. New funding sources need to be identified to provide the Department of Natural Resources the resources to continue reimbursement at fair market value for losses and to maintain a sufficient depredation response program.