Wolves were delisted in 2011 and Wisconsin state legislature designated the wolf a game animal to be managed through a wolf hunt, making Wisconsin; Out of all the states that hunt wolves, only Wisconsin allows hound hunters to use unleashed packs of dogs to hunt wolves. Wisconsin, quite literally, throws “dogs to the wolves.” Source
I sat through dozens of Wisconsin DNR Wolf Advisory Committee meetings and witnessed the imperiled wolf become nothing more; than a commodity for hunting. At the WAC monthly meetings recreational, trophy hunts, harvest and it (meaning wolf) were the main words being tossed about in the name of wolf management.
Wisconsin’s wolf recovery began in the late 1970s.
I listened to the wolf advisory committee members discuss changing wolf hunt management zone boundaries. DNR biologists on the WAC suggested making sub zones in areas where chronic wolf depredations on livestock have occurred. But the outcry from pro wolf hunting WAC members claimed wolf hunters would not go for that suggestion, because they want to hunt the whole zone; wherever they want. One biologist spoke up stating, that the wolf hunt is suppose to be about addressing problem wolf depredation areas…laughter was the response from pro wolf hunt members.
A federal judge got it right when she pulled the plug on three years of reckless trophy hunts on wolves in Wisconsin.
Wolves of Douglas County Wisconsin does not sanction the hunting of Wisconsin’s wild imperiled wolf as part of any wolf management plan. WODCW believes wolves are self regulating, are benificial for the health of Wisconsin’s ecosystems, and are a part of Wisconsin’s wild legacy. Further, WODCW believes, that the best available science must be first and foremost in any Wisconsin wolf management plan.
WODCW believes wolves are the best Stewards of Wisconsin’s White-tailed deer herds.
WODCW recommends wolves be kept on the Endangered Species List until the state of Wisconsin can prove they will manage the imperiled wolf using the best available science.
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Wolves of Douglas County Wisconsin was founded in 2012 to bring education, awareness and advocacy to Wisconsin’s imperiled wolf. WODCW has grown into a social media magnet; bringing the latest news, latest actions, latest alerts, interviews & fine arts & films to your life so you can make an informed decision. WODCW believes wolves do not not need to be hunted in order to manage them. WODCW is involved in predator deterrents as a tool to manage wolves non lethally. Get involved, join the team: wolvesdouglasco@gmail.com
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Photographs of wolves used to make WODCW graphics by John E Marriott