In a unanimous decision, Wisconsin wildlife officials have approved a new wolf management plan that has sparked controversy and debate among hunters, farmers, and conservationists. The plan does not include a specific population goal, which has been a demand from hunters and farmers who want to limit the number of wolves in the state. However, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) policy board members praised the plan as a scientifically sound compromise that could demonstrate responsible wolf population management to federal officials, potentially leading to the removal of protections for the species.

The issue of wolf management has become a hot topic in Wisconsin hunting circles as the wolf population has grown over the past thirty years. Farmers in northern Wisconsin have long complained about wolves preying on their livestock. The DNR has reported 67 confirmed or probable wolf attacks on livestock, pets, and hunting dogs so far in 2023, an increase from 49 attacks in all of 2022. Hunters also argue that wolves are devastating the deer population in the northern part of the state. On the other hand, conservationists believe that wolves have not firmly established themselves in Wisconsin and should be protected.

The DNR previously adopted a wolf management plan in 1999, which called for capping the population at 350 wolves. However, the latest estimates suggest that the population currently stands at around 1,000 wolves. As the population grows, Republican legislators passed a law in 2012 requiring the DNR to hold an annual wolf hunting season. This has led hunters and farmers to support high kill quotas based on the 350-wolf limit, which has sparked anger among animal rights activists.

Last year, a federal judge placed gray wolves in the lower 48 states back on the endangered species list, making hunting illegal and limiting farmers to nonlethal control methods. In response, the DNR has been working on an updated wolf management plan in case wolves are removed from the list and hunting resumes. The new plan recommends a statewide population of about 1,000 animals but does not set a hard limit on the population. Instead, the plan suggests allowing the population to grow or decline at certain numerical thresholds. DNR officials argue that this approach creates flexibility in dealing with local packs and allows for more hunting pressure in areas overpopulated with wolves.

This proposal has faced strong criticism from farmers and hunters who want a specific statewide population goal. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the largest farmers' association in the state, has called for maintaining the 350-wolf cap, and Republican lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would force the DNR to include a specific number in the plan. In fact, Senate Republicans recently refused to confirm four DNR board members who supported the new management plan, resulting in their removal from the board. In response, Democratic Governor Tony Evers appointed four replacements on the same day.

Ahead of the decision, the DNR board spent over three hours listening to public comments from both sides. The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin praised the plan, calling it “exceptional” and commending the DNR for adopting a flexible management approach. On the other hand, the Conservation Congress, a group of influential sportsmen advising the DNR, does not support the 350-wolf goal and believes that the opinions of people living among wolves haven't been given enough weight. Residents, like Patrick Quaintance from Bayfield, shared their concerns about the safety of themselves and their pets due to the presence of wolves.

It is important to note that there has never been a documented wolf attack on a human in Wisconsin, according to the DNR. Wolves typically target old, young, sick, or weakened animals. However, the DNR has acknowledged that as wolves become more habituated to humans, they could potentially become more aggressive towards people. Despite this, Fred Clark, the executive director of conservation group Wisconsin's Green Fire, expressed support for the plan and emphasized that the 350-wolf goal set in 1999 is irrelevant due to the advancements in scientific knowledge about wolves over the past 24 years. He believes that the plan will demonstrate to federal wildlife officials that Wisconsin can effectively manage wolf populations and should have control over wolf management.

In addition to approving the new management plan, the DNR board also unanimously voted to implement new regulations for the state's wolf season. Previously, the DNR relied on emergency rules following the passing of the 2012 wolf hunting law. The new regulations largely mirror the emergency provisions but include some changes aligned with the goals outlined in the management plan. Notable changes include reducing the registration period for kills from 24 hours to eight hours and restricting the training of dogs to track wolves only during the wolf season. The rules also maintain the prohibition on hunting wolves with dogs at night.

It is important to clarify that in the original version of this story, it was incorrectly stated that Republican legislators passed the wolf hunting law in 2011. The correct date is 2012.