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Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com

Judge rejects use of dogs during wolf hunt

By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel

A Dane County judge ruled Friday against the use of dogs during Wisconsin’s inaugural wolf hunt, putting the five-month season in jeopardy.

The request for an injunction was brought in a lawsuit by a coalition of Wisconsin humane societies and individuals. The lawsuit argued the Department of Natural Resources did not have adequate protections in place to prevent violent confrontations between dogs and wolves during the training and hunting seasons.

The Legislature passed Act 169 in April, authorizing the state’s first hunting and trapping season for wolves. Many details of the hunt were contained in Act 169, including the use of dogs to hunt wolves.

The legislation made Wisconsin the only state to allow dogs to hunt wolves.

The ruling by Circuit Judge Peter Anderson prevents the DNR from issuing licenses that allow the use of dogs to hunt wolves. It also prevents the training of dogs to hunt wolves.

“Plaintiffs are extraordinarily pleased with the court’s order and the recognition of the DNR’s failure to impose necessary restrictions on this aspect of the hunt,” said Jodi Habush Sinykin, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

But Anderson said the DNR could move forward with a wolf hunt that does not involve dogs.

However, DNR officials earlier this week said the hunt may be canceled if the judge issued an injunction. The agency stated it might not have enough time to put in place regulations on the use of dogs before the season.

The season is scheduled to run Oct. 15 to the end of February. The state had sold 18,301 wolf hunting and trapping permit applications as of Friday afternoon.

The department had planned to hold a lottery in September to issue 1,160 licenses. The state’s wolf harvest quota was 116 wolves for nontribal hunters. The DNR reserved a quota of 85 wolves for American Indian tribes.

The DNR issued a statement Friday afternoon saying it would “consult with its attorneys and assess all of its options.”

In addition, the agency said it will extend the sale of wolf hunting and trapping permit applications through Sept. 7.

The wolf population has increased steadily in recent decades and was estimated at between 815 and 880 animals in 213 packs in late winter. The state’s recovery goal was 350 wolves.

The wolf was removed from protections of the federal Endangered Species Act in January. Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota were then able to start their state wolf management plans.

Wisconsin and Minnesota passed laws authorizing a public wolf harvest. A bill allowing a wolf hunting and trapping season has been introduced in Michigan.

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