The Wisconsin DNR demonstrated a flagrant disregard for citizen involvement when they replaced the diverse Wolf Stakeholders Group with the Wolf Advisory Committee.

This relatively new committee will make recommendations to the Natural Resources Board regarding permanent rules for the wolf hunting season structure, develop hunting and trapping quotas and update the Wolf Management Plan.

These are critical wolf management issues and all opinions should be considered, yet all wolf advocacy and conservation groups, including the National Wolfwatcher Coalition, were excluded from the committee, despite requests to join.

The Wolf Advisory Committee no longer represents the interests of most Wisconsinites. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, at least 60% of Wisconsin residents participate in non-hunting outdoor recreation each year generating $11.9 billion in consumer spending and 142K direct Wisconsin jobs. But, these voices have been silenced by those whose goal is to reduce wolf populations through any means possible. The committee should represent a wide range of stakeholder interests.

Nearly all committee members represent hunting or trapping interests even though federal courts have repeatedly upheld that wildlife are a public trust resource whose preservation is in the interest of current and future generations not just hunters.    

At the recent meeting, this heavily-staked committee established a quota of 156 wolves (24% harvest rate) to be killed during the upcoming hunting/trapping season. 

The 156-wolf hunting/trapping quota will continue to reduce the state's wolf population towards an unscientific management goal of only 350 animals which population models show is unsustainable.

Photo Credit: Diane Bentivenga

Following last year's hunting/trapping season, combined with depredation control actions and illegal killings, the Wisconsin wolf population dropped 19%.  The estimated wolf population is between 658 and 687, down from about 809-834.