By On The Trail Compiled By Paul A. Smith
Department of Natural Resources managers are encouraging people with an interest in wolves and wildlife to sign up for a wolf tracking or ecology clinic and become volunteer wolf trackers.
Wisconsin’s wolf monitoring program gets an assist each winter from volunteers who help track the animals.
Wolf tracking is a great way to experience the outdoors in winter and make a contribution to natural resource management, according to state wildlife officials.
DNR biologists and volunteers have partnered to provide informative classes focused on aspects of wolf ecology, population biology and field study techniques.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our wolf population monitoring program,” said David MacFarland, DNR large carnivore specialist. “These classes provide a great opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin’s wildlife and becoming a volunteer tracker is a direct way to contribute to the scientific data the DNR relies on to manage our state’s wolf population.”
The tracking-focused class will focus on medium- to large-size carnivores that inhabit Wisconsin, as well as a few other common mammals. It also will provide the required training and prepare participants to conduct formal track surveys as a volunteer tracker.
The ecology-focused class will cover the history of wolves in Wisconsin, their biology and ecology, how DNR monitors the population, and state management and research.
The DNR and partners are offering 18 carnivore tracking or wolf ecology clinics between Oct. 18 and Feb. 15. Click here for a list of courses.
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