By Paul A. Smith
The wolf hunting and trapping season runs from Monday through Feb. 28. The state is divided into five wolf management zones, each with a harvest quota. If the harvest quota is reached in a zone, the DNR will enact an emergency closure in that zone. Zone closures would not take effect until at least 24 hours after the department announces the closure.
Up to 201 wolves can be harvested this season, 85 of which are reserved for Native American tribes within the ceded territory of northern Wisconsin.
Hunters and trappers are required to report wolf kills within 24 hours of taking the animal.
The DNR received 20,272 applications for wolf hunting and trapping licenses, and 1,160 were awarded through a random computerized drawing (1,145 Wisconsin applicants and 15 to out-of-state applicants). Those not drawn this year have earned a preference point for future drawings.
Wolf harvest licenses can be purchased at any license sales location or online at dnr.wi.gov now or during the season. The cost is $100 for residents and $500 for nonresidents.
A wolf license authorizes both hunting and trapping. The license holder must meet the appropriate education requirements for trapping, hunter education or be participating in the hunting mentorship program.
A recent judicial ruling has temporarily prevented the use of dogs for hunting wolves and also the use of dogs to train to hunt wolves. As a result, the use of dogs for tracking and trailing of wolves is not authorized when hunting wolves under a wolf harvesting license. Also, the use of dogs for training to track or trail free-ranging wolves is not authorized at this time.