WAUSAU – How big should Wisconsin’s next wolf hunt be? That question will be addressed today, when the state’s Wolf Advisory Committee meets near Wausau.
The 26-member panel is expected to recommend a quota for the state’s second wolf hunt that’s due to begin in October. Last year, the quota was 201 wolves, or about a quarter of the state’s total population – but the final figure was reduced to 117, because Chippewa Indians refused to let hunters kill the animals to which the tribes were entitled. Recently, the DNR said the wolf population grew only slightly over the past year to between 809-834. The DNR’s David McFarland says planning for the next wolf hunt will continue despite a legal challenge from animal rights’ groups who seek to put wolves back under federal protections. McFarland said if there’s judicial action quote, “We’ll change course at that time.” Also, he said the advisory panel will not touch the question of eliminating wolf hunting at night – a provision that’s in the proposed state budget. McFarland says that issue is in the hands of legislators now. Today’s recommendations will go to a DNR policy team and agency officials, and then to the Natural Resources Board.
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