Wisconsin’s new wolf “management” plan leaves wolves imperiled. The land’s biological carrying capacity should determine wolf population, not hunter opportunity and satisfaction, which are scientifically irrelevant. The adaptive management table should be removed for this plan to be truly adaptive.
Wolf-depredated livestock is minimal. There is insurance and reimbursement compensation. Proven non-lethal forms of determent are more effective at resolving conflict and must be required. The number of wolves killed each year by the USDA Wildlife Services and Wisconsin DNR, and the number of wolves poached, should be deducted from any “harvest” quota.
Most DNR public attitude survey respondents do not want trapping or hounding, and do want wolves. Recreational wolf hunting, trapping, snaring, and hounding of wolves is unacceptable and unethical, yet the state continues to allow it. It enables abuse to wolves and hounds by paying $2500 per hound loss.
If you live among wolves, you are 24% less likely to have an auto-deer collision. Wolves reduce chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Wolf recovery is incomplete and unlikely under this new plan. Wisconsin legally mandates a wolf hunt once wolves are delisted but other states do not. Continued oversight by the federal government, including Endangered Species protection is needed in order for Wisconsin to have a healthy wolf population.
~ Kelli Villis, Waukesha
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