Number of wolves seen increase
By Jake Rigdon
For the Journal
WAUSAU – Wildlife researchers say residents and animals are probably not in danger of a wolf attack despite an increase in the number of the animals that have been spotted in the Northwoods.
“We have seen … an expansion in the wolf population, especially along the northern forest and Prentice,” Adrian Wydeven, a Department of Natural Resources mammal ecologist based in Park Falls, said Thursday. “I expect the packs there to be a little larger this year than last year.”
About 400 wolves live in northern Wisconsin, Wydeven said, citing last winter’s estimate. About 450 were counted throughout the state.
One resident thinks that number is low.
“I’ve seen a lot more signs of (wolves) lately, especially their tracks,” said Jim Graeber, who lives in Tomahawk and owns 80 acres of hunting land in the town of Prentice, which is about 35 miles east of Tomahawk.
“I don’t think the DNR has a good grasp of the actual numbers statewide,” he said. “If they can’t get a handle on the wolf population, I’m afraid that will hurt the deer population.”
Wydeven, though, said that’s unlikely.
Wolf packs that kill livestock or other animals typically do so in the spring and summer. Those that do usually are raising pups and therefore have higher food needs.
If you go
The Department of Natural Resources is seeking people to track wolves and other carnivores. Volunteer trackers will be assigned areas in northern and central Wisconsin.
A tracking session will be held Dec. 3 at Treehaven, W2540 Pickerel Creek Ave., Tomahawk. There is a small fee for the classes. Upcoming wolf ecology workshops also are available at Treehaven on Jan. 21-23 and Feb. 3-5.
Call Treehaven at 715-453-4106 for more information.