Watching Wolves
MADISON – Volunteers can help track and keep count of timber wolves and other forest carnivores in the coming year.
Volunteer trackers are assigned survey blocks in forest portions of northern and central Wisconsin and are asked to conduct three or more surveys in their assigned block each winter. Data they gather can be compiled with those of other volunteers to aid Department of Natural Resources biologists in evaluating wolf populations.
Wolf and Carnivore Tracker Training sessions are scheduled:
– Nov. 1, Ashland, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, off Highway 13.
– Dec. 6, Babcock, Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, one mile north of Highway 173 along Highway X.
-Dec. 6-7, Tomahawk, Treehaven UW-Stevens Point Field Station on Pickerel Creek Road, off Highway A.
Volunteers also are encouraged to take a wolf ecology course before the workshops. Courses will be offered at several sites, including Jan. 24-25 at Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek. The cost is $70.
In Wisconsin wolves are a protected wild animal under state law, and due to court action Sept. 29 again are an endangered species under federal law.