Monday Wildlife News Update – January 27, 2026
⚠️ UPCOMING: Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Meeting
📅 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 8:30 AM
📺 Watch LIVE on YouTube: DNR channel (wrdnr)
Key Agenda Items:
- Wildlife killing contests – At least 10 people testifying including Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance
- Bear harvest quotas for 2026 – Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance will also be testifying on this
- Elk and deer quota – Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance will also be testifying on this
- ATV rules (NR 64)
- Air quality rules (VOC emissions)
Other presentations:
- Office of Agriculture & Water Quality progress on Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
- DNR research on future projections of Wisconsin deer hunters
- Wake boat impacts research and petition response
Location (in-person): Room G09, State Natural Resources Building, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53703
Public participation deadline: 11 AM on Wednesday, January 22, 2026 to register to testify or submit written comments
Contact NRB Liaison: 608-267-7420 or DNRNRBLiaison@wisconsin.gov
🎯 Tune in Wednesday! Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance will be there fighting against wildlife killing contests and advocating on bear, elk, and deer quotas. This is critical testimony that needs public support and visibility.
🚨 HR 845 – Gray Wolf Delisting (CRITICAL)
- Status: Passed the House 211-204 on December 18, 2025, now in the Senate
- The bill would delist gray wolves across the Lower 48, reinstate the 2020 Trump delisting rule, and block judicial review
- Sponsored by Reps. Boebert (CO) and Tiffany (WI), co-sponsored by Stauber (MN)
- Conservation groups including Sierra Club, Western Environmental Law Center, and Humane Society strongly opposing
- Sen. Klobuchar and Smith (MN) being urged to vote against it
Mexican Gray Wolf Delisting Bills
Two separate bills targeting Mexican wolves are advancing:
- HR 4255 (Gosar) – “Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025”
- Boebert bill – “Pet and Livestock Protection Act”
- House Committee on Natural Resources advanced Gosar’s bill on January 23, 2026
- Would strip ESA protections, end genetic diversification efforts, shift management to states
- ~300 wolves currently in AZ/NM with genetic diversity from only 2 founding wolves
Wisconsin Sandhill Crane Hunting
Two companion bills actively moving:
- SB 112 (Senate) and AB 117 (Assembly)
- Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage held hearing January 7, 2026
- Bills would authorize crane hunting pending federal approval
- $10 resident/$50 non-resident permits (or $20/$100 in some versions)
- Claims 112,000+ cranes vs. 30,000 threshold
- Key changes from study committee: Removed farmer compensation program, reduced education requirements, limited DNR authority
- Opposition from International Crane Foundation (Anne Lacy) citing breeding ground concerns, HPAI threats
- Support from Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association, Ducks Unlimited
- Only 17% public support per 2023 ICF study
Endangered Species Act Reform
- HR 1897 – ESA Amendments Act of 2025 moving through House
- Would create “backstop against frivolous litigation,” streamline permitting
- Part of broader December 2025 package with wolf delisting
Other Wolf News
- Colorado: Female wolf died January 16 (first 2026 mortality); CPW not translocating additional wolves this winter
- California: Wildlife crews stopped actively searching for 2 juvenile wolves from Beyem Seyo pack that killed 92+ cattle in 2025; 70 wolves total responsible for 175 livestock kills in CA
- Oregon lawsuit: Center for Biological Diversity suing Trump administration over failure to develop national gray wolf recovery plan (filed January 2026)
- Washington: WDFW ended partnership with “wolf ranger”
Wildlife Killing Contests
- 10 states have bans: AZ, CA, CO, MD, MA, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA
- Federal legislation: HR 8492 (Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act) would ban contests on 500M+ acres of federal public lands
- Nevada currently debating ban
Game Agency Reform
Major development in New Mexico:
- SB5 passed in 2025 – landmark governance reform
- Modernized mission from “Game and Fish” to “Wildlife,” established nominating committee for commission appointments
- Sets national model – Wildlife for All promoting it as blueprint
- Increased funding for non-game species
Wisconsin specific:
- CWD confirmed in Clark County (first case) – extends feeding/baiting ban 3 years
- NRB approved rules for sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl, turkey, elk in December
There’s So Much Happening Right Now
As you can see from today’s update, wildlife is under attack on multiple fronts – from HR 845 wolf delisting moving through the Senate, to Mexican wolf bills in committee, Wisconsin’s sandhill crane hunt bills advancing, and wildlife killing contests still legal in 40 states. That’s just this week.
Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance is fighting back on every single one of these battles – testifying at the NRB meeting Wednesday, tracking federal legislation, monitoring state hearings, conducting opposition research, building coalitions, and keeping you informed so you can take action.
We’re doing this work on behalf of the voiceless wild animals who can’t speak for themselves in legislative chambers and board rooms where their fates are decided.
Today, we’re asking each person to contribute $32.
Why $32? Because there are 32 working days left before the critical February legislative sessions begin across multiple states – 32 days to prepare testimony, research opposition networks, coordinate with coalition partners, and mobilize advocates. Every single day counts, and every single dollar funds this urgent work.
When you donate $32 today, you’re funding:
- Testimony preparation for critical board meetings like Wednesday’s NRB
- Opposition research on the networks pushing anti-wildlife legislation
- Coalition coordination to amplify our collective voice
- Real-time monitoring and rapid response to emerging threats
- The weekly intelligence briefings that keep you informed and ready to act
We can’t do this without you. The other side has unlimited hunting industry money and political connections. What we have is people like you who care deeply about wolves, cranes, and all wildlife – and are willing to fight for them.
🎙️ This Wednesday: Wildlife Wednesdays Strategy Session
Join us this Wednesday for Wildlife Wednesdays where we’ll be diving deeper into:
- What’s happening with all these legislative battles
- What we can do locally to protect wildlife from disease
- Action steps you can take right now
Don’t miss this critical conversation – we’ll equip you with the tools and knowledge to be effective advocates in your own communities.
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