By Chris Vetter Chippewa Falls News Bureau
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Wednesday’s earlier than projected closing of two wolf-hunting zones in Wisconsin is either evidence the state’s wolf population is higher than predicted or a sign of animosity toward the animals.
Or maybe it’s a bit of both.
“They are killing livestock, elk, deer,” Bill Herrmann, state director for the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association and a delegate for the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, said of wolves. “I think (the wolf harvest) has been successful because I think there are a lot more wolves out there than the (Department of Natural Resources) is reporting. Everyone is unhappy with the low number of deer, and not seeing deer.”
On Wednesday state Department of Natural Resources officials announced the closure of wolf harvest Zone 5, which includes eastern Eau Claire County and portions of Chippewa, Clark, Jackson, Wood, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Waushara and Marquette counties. They also halted hunting in Zone 1 in the northern part of the state. Last week DNR officials closed Zone 2 in the northeastern part of Wisconsin when that 28-wolf quota was reached.
The hunt began Oct. 15 and will run until hunters reach the 251-wolf statewide kill limit or through the end of February, whichever comes first.
Herrmann said hunters are eager to sign up for hunting permits because they are frustrated and fed up with the devastation the animals are causing to other wildlife. He said he receives about 20 emails daily from hunters who are interested in how the wolf hunt is going.
“I’m happy the harvest is going as well as it is, but I’m not surprised it’s going quickly,” Herrmann said. “There are a lot of wolves out there. People don’t realize it because they don’t see them. They are an elusive animal.”
Zone 5, which had a 34-wolf kill quota, was closed when that number reached 33. Zone 1 had a quota of 76, and 72 wolves were killed there. Wolf hunters and trappers can continue to hunt wolves in Zones 3, 4, and 6.
The DNR wolf-kill goal is 251, said David McFarland, a DNR large carnivore specialist.
Population debate
State Sen. Terry Moulton, R-town of Seymour, said the earlier than anticipated hunting zone closures prompt him to believe wolf numbers in Wisconsin are higher than previously thought.
“I think this is a clear indication that there are more wolves out there,” Moulton said. “That is really astounding to me that there are that many wolves harvested, since the season began Oct. 15. They are not an easy animal (to kill).”
Kevin Harter, DNR regional public affairs manager, said he isn’t sure why wolf kill totals have been reached more quickly than anticipated. It could be a sign the state’s wolf population estimates are low.
“It’s been an unusual year. When the wolf season started, there seemed to be less interest than last year,” Harter said. “But then the success rate has been much higher this year.”
Adrian Wydeven, a DNR ecologist and the former head of the state’s wolf program, said the DNR estimated Wisconsin is home to between 809 and 834 wolves. Last year’s first-ever wolf hunt led to 117 wolf kills.
“The first year was an experimental harvest,” Wydeven said. “This year, it is a harvest aimed at reducing the population.”
Wydeven said killing 251 of the estimated 800 wolves will curb the population by 10 to 15 percent, factoring in newborn wolves in spring. Herrmann disagrees, saying wolves breed at higher rates than the DNR contends.
“All they are doing is slowing down the increase of the wolf population,” Herrmann said. “They are reducing it by 250 until next spring, when the pups are born, and it will be right back (to current levels).”
Wolf zones
- Wolf Hunt Zones Status
- To check on the status of Wisconsin wolf hunt zones, call 855-299-9653 or visit dnr.wi.gov.