By Jacki Witkowski
ADAMS (WKOW) — Trapping for wolves in a state wildlife area in Adams County ends Friday, as wildlife specialists say the threat from the animals appears over, after hunters had two frightening encounters.
The gray wolf is an endangered species, but department of natural resources officials say threats to human beings allowed an exception to the federal protection.
Officials say no wolves were trapped in the Colburn Wildlife Area. They say signs of wolves were detected in a portion of the state preserve. Officials say the wolves appear to have moved on after using the area to rear pups.
Officials say hunters in both September and October were confronted by aggressive wolves. They say one hunter says he shot and wounded a wolf, while another hunter fired warning shots.
Wisconsin’s wolf hunt was halted when a federal court last year restored the animal’s protection as endangered.