Wisconsin’s Gray wolf faces being de-listed in 2025.

In January 2025 due to the incoming administration we can expect Wisconsin’s Gray wolf to again be the target of fringe trophy hunting organizations such as: Hunter Nation, Wisconsin’s bear Hunters Association and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. These organizations are heavily backed by republicans in-favor of federal de-listing of Gray wolves. They want wolves returned to state management; where again we will see a repeat of the infamous and brutal Wisconsin February 2021 wolf hunt. Because-Wisconsin Act 169 is a law that mandates a wolf hunt when they are not Endangered Species is still in effect today.

The most unfortunate aspect of this process will be the loss of public education & input: the conservative party will again control wolf management. And, to top it off, anti-wolf fringe hunters also will come to dominate politics. They will pushed misinformation instead of science. They will again begin campaigns full of political rhetoric designed to scare the public. The propaganda by anti-wolf politicians & fringe hunters will claim wolves are killing all the deer, and push misinformation that the people in the northwoods don’t want them in their backyards. And push for wolves to be reintroduced in Madison.

Yet is there hope? The DNR has a new updated wolf plan now and it works to educate and solve conflicts between people and wolves. The plan was unanimously approved by the Natural Resources Board. More on this further in…

History of Wolves in Wisconsin

Gray wolves in much of the lower 48 have regained federal protection following a ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 2022. Following a February 10, 2022, court order, gray wolves in the contiguous 48 states and Mexico – with the exception of the Northern Rocky Mountain population – are now protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as threatened in Minnesota and endangered in the remaining states. Critical habitat for gray wolves in Minnesota and Michigan and the 4(d) rule for gray wolves in Minnesota are also reinstated. https://www.fws.gov/initiative/protecting-wildlife/gray-wolf-recovery-news-and-updates

Before the 2022 re-listing…

The Gray wolf was killed off from Wisconsin’s forests by the 1950s and had been hunted to near extinction in the Lower forty-eight states by the mid-1900s. As a result, the wolf, was one of the first animals to get protection against most killing, harassing, and habitat destruction under the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since then, its limited revival has been one of controveral stories of the ESA Act. The Wisconsin Gray wolf faces loss of habitat because of several factors, extractive industries, sport hunting and loss of federal protection.

Gray wolves began entering Wisconsin through Minnesota, and by the late 1970s, Gray wolves were establishing home territories in Wisconsin. The newly created Wisconsin Wolf Recovery Program began monitoring packs, and soon wolves were establishing territories throughout Wisconsin’s northern & central forests.

The Wisconsin wolf recovery program hit some significant roadblocks starting in 2011. In 2011 just as gray wolves were about to be delisted, the Wisconsin state legislature rushed to create a law. Wisconsin Act 169 is a law that mandates a wolf hunt when they are not Endangered Species. Wisconsin held three wolf hunts and allowed hunters to run dogs on wolves. Wisconsin is the only state to allow the use of dogs; Wisconsin quite literally throws dogs to wolves. But a federal judge ordered the gray wolf be put back n the ESA in December 2014.

But the Trump Administration delisted gray wolves once again on January 4, 2021. Gray wolves were barely off the ESL when the battle to hunt them began. Hunter Nation, a conservative advocacy group, sued to get a wolf hunt. Under a court order, the Department of Natural Resources was forced to launch a one-week wolf hunt. The department reported that hunters and trappers had killed 52 wolves on the second day, falling nearly 44% of the 119-animal statewide quota. Another 81 wolves are allocated to Ojibwe tribes, for a total of 200 this year. Wolf hunters told other hunters not to register animals right away so that the hunt would stay open. In the end, the wolf hunters not only took their allotted quota but took the tribe’s quota. Hunter Nation, a conservation advocacy group, had won the right to kill an endangered species fresh off the ESL.

The hunt was Controversial for several reasons. In February, opening a wolf hunt disrupted the gray wolf’s breeding season, potentially killing pregnant females and using dogs to hunt wolves. More than anything, this forced wolf hunt proved no one was listening to the scientific community. Opposing forces were dominating the conversation. It was a conversation heard all around the world!

The tribes in Wisconsin remain opposed to wolf hunting.
For centuries, the Ojibwe have lived alongside their brother Ma’iingan, who we know in English as the wolf. In February 2021, In February 2021, a brutal assault, ,a hunt on their wolf relative, stirs emotion and grief for Ma’iingan as they know what happens to him will happen to them.

People & Wolves documentary is a bold statement with a powerful message. It is educational, insightful, and deeply poignant, shedding light on the cultural and spiritual impacts of wolf hunting on an indigenous community. By the end, you will know more than you ever imagined about the Ojibwe culture and the dire consequences of wolf hunting.

In February 2022, wolves were returned to the ESL in Wisconsin. The DNR is to update the wolf management plan.

The Wisconsin DNR updated the state’s wolf management plan in 2023. “Since the DNR manages wolves according to this plan and following state and federal laws, the DNR took this revision process very seriously and remained committed to a transparent, deliberative, and inclusive management plan update process that recognizes the diversity of interest areas regarding wolf management.” Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan 2023

“The DNR collected extensive public input through a wolf management plan committee (WMPC) an online questionnaire, and a 111-day opportunity to review and comment on a management plan draft. Throughout the process, the DNR also worked closely with our tribal partners and other natural resource professionals involved in wolf management in Wisconsin.”

“After considering all the public comments and making edits to the draft plan, the draft plan was submitted to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) on Oct. 25, 2023, for approval. The NRB approved the plan with minor amendments. An October 2023 NRB Meeting recording is available on the DNR’s YouTube channel.” More can be found here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolfmanagementplan

The battle continues

The (May 2024) debate in the U.S. House was bill H.R. 764—the Trust the Science Act seeking to again delist the gray wolf in the Lower 48, return its management to the states and prohibit judicial review of the decision. Introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisc.), the bill passed by four votes—209-205— resulting from the fact ESA goals for the species were met. The bill now advances to the Senate for action—providing Senate leadership will take up the discussion. And now with the Trump Administration and republican control of both the senate and the house there is no doubt that Wisconsin’s Gray wolf will be delisted in 2025.

Wisconsin Act 169 is a law that mandates a wolf hunt when they are not Endangered Species still in effect today.

November 5th election results were favorable towards more democrats

In the Assembly, Democrats picked up 11 total seats, 10 of which were flipped from Republicans. In the Senate, Republicans lost their supermajority, and thus their ability to override any Evers veto, with just a five-seat difference now. Those numbers add up to a more balanced state legislature that decides everything from state taxes and local funding, to abortion and gun laws. And most importantly, Wisconsin’s wolf management.

Keep in touch with your representatives!