Wisconsin Wolf Stakeholders Meeting Covers Much
Review wolf management plan and wolf count update
TWIN Observer
Wausau — On Saturday, April 17th, the Wisconsin Wolf Stakeholders Committee held a meeting to receive updates and to participate in the reviewing of the state wolf management plan for 2004 and 2005. The reviewing of the plan will include general public input later this summer through public meetings and questionnaires.
Facilitator Tim Miller of the DNR spent most of the day leading the participants in discussions of the pros and cons of issues stated at a previous meeting of the Stakeholders Committee. Some of the issues discussed were types of losses attributed to wolf damages, where the losses occur, and how to fund the losses.
Adrian Wydevan, state wolf biologist, presented the latest wolf count for winter 2003-2004. Wisconsin has an estimated 380 – 401 wolves in approximately 109 packs. 322 wolves are in the northern zone and 58 are in the central forest zone.
The wolf counts are reported to the DNR from observations and tracking done by state and other governmental employees and from approximately 100 volunteer citizen trackers.