The public is unaware that dogs are used to hunt wolves in Wisconsin when they are not listed on the federal or state endangered species list. Wisconsin’s state legislature sanctions the barbaric sport known as Wolf-Hounding.
The Wisconsin legislature sanctioned Wolf-Hounding under “2011 Wisconsin Act 169” allowing the use of dogs to track and trail wolves. 2011 Wisconsin Act 169.
WODCW Wolf Hounding Fact Sheet: Wisconsin, quite literally, throws dogs to wolves…
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.”Hound hunters traditionally train their dogs to focus on specific prey by releasing their dogs to surround, attack and terrorize a prey animal (e.g. a bear cub or fox) for hours on end (up to 16 hours/day) enclosed in a small, open barrel or “roll cage.” At this point it remains disturbingly unclear as to how hound hunters will train their dogs to pursue wolves instead of other animals—will it be by capturing wolves and allowing their dogs to attack them in barrels and pens? How isn’t this worse than illegal dog fighting?
“There has never been a more important time for the people of Wisconsin to show they are not going to give in to a small group of people that want to torture animals for fun under the guise of “sport.” ~Rachel Tilseth
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, charged with overseeing the wolf hunt, has no rules in place that require hound handlers to report dogs injured or killed in the pursuit of wolves during a hunt. In fact, there is no monitoring or certification program whatsoever in place for the use of dogs in the wolf hunt; thus the state has little ability to hold hound hunters accountable for training or hunting violations or to prevent deadly and inhumane wolf-dog confrontations (e.g., hunters allowing dogs to overtake and kill rifle-shot wolves). These circumstances explain why Wisconsin stands alone: using dogs to hunt wolves is no better than state-sponsored dog fighting.
Wolves are currently protected under the ESA, but there are several bills in congress that call for delisting wolves. When wolves are not listed Wisconsin wolf hunters will use dogs to hunt them under the guise of sport.
Hound handlers are equipped with high tech radio telemetry devices that allow them to track GPS-collared hunting dogs from long distances. They are often not able to catch up to hounds that have a wolf at bay to prevent deadly fights between dogs and wolves. As proof of this, (during the bear hunt’s use of dogs) to date, Wisconsin has paid over $500,000 to “reimburse” hound-hunters for hunting dogs injured or killed by wolves. See link WDNR Dog depredations by wolves
Please Join WODCW’s campaign to end wolf-hounding in Wisconsin.
According to DNR regulations, hound handlers are only allowed to use up to six dogs at a time to trail wolves. But handlers often replace tired dogs with fresh ones and younger dogs. It is common for a handler to be unable to retrieve the tired dogs, and end up with up well over 6 dogs chasing one wolf, potentially twice or even three times as many. There is no monitoring system in place to ensure that only 6 dogs pursue wolves.
In 2013 & 2014 Wisconsin sanctioned the use of dogs to hunt wolves.
Take Action to end Wolf-Hounding in Wisconsin
Join Wolves of Douglas County Wisconsin’s campaign to end Wolf Hounding. Contact us: wolvesdouglasco@gmail.com
Contact your Wisconsin State Legislator and make it clear you do not sanction Wolf Hounding in Wisconsin!
At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst. ~Aristotle
*Wisconsin allows the use of dogs in pursuit of bear, and has a reimbursement program of $2,500.00 for each dog killed by wolves defending their pups. There is NO reimbursement during wolf-hounding.
I wrote to Paul Ryan about this awful practice which is sanctioned in Wisconsin. He basically told me that isn’t his area of responsibility and that I should contact state officials. What has happened to a once conservation oriented state? Conserve out wildlife. Act like humane beings.
Jeana,
We can end this if we all work together. Wisconsin, a once progressive state, and leaders in environmental policy, can pull through this dreadful time.
I live in Wisconsin and I think this practice is disgusting. It has been proven that wolves are a positive for the environment and I think this practice should be outlawed. It is man who is the danger not the wolf.