DNR: Hunters 4 wolves shy of Wisconsin kill limit; season could end before dogs are allowed
- Article by: TODD RICHMOND , Associated Press
- Updated: November 28, 2014
MADISON, Wis. — Hunters are four wolves shy of reaching Wisconsin’s statewide kill limit, raising doubts about whether anyone will be allowed to use dogs to hunt wolves once the gun season ends.
The 2012 Republican-authored law that created Wisconsin’s wolf hunt allows hunters to use dogs to trail and corner wolves on the day after the end of the nine-day gun deer season. That season wraps up Sunday, which means hunters could start deploying their dogs beginning Monday.
But Department of Natural Resources tallies show hunters had killed 146 wolves as of Thursday, just four animals short of the 150-wolf statewide kill limit.
The season will end as soon as they hit that limit or on the last day of February, whichever comes first. If hunters get the last four wolves before Monday, no one will be able to hunt them with dogs and one of the most divisive components of Wisconsin’s wolf hunt would fade away until next year.
Hunters aren’t allowed to let their dogs kill wolves — they can use dogs only to trail and corral them and must use a gun, crossbow or bow and arrow to actually make the kill — but animal rights advocates contend letting dogs chase wolves can lead to bloody confrontations because wolves will turn and fight rather than flee.
A coalition of humane societies tried to sue the DNR in 2012 to force the agency to impose tighter regulations on dog use but the effort failed. The DNR did examine 27 of the 35 wolves killed by hunters using dogs last year and didn’t find any evidence of fights or other illegal practices, but the evaluation was inconclusive since the wolf carcasses had already been skinned when the agency examined them.
Jodi Habush Sinykin, an attorney for the humane societies, didn’t immediately return an email message Friday. Neither did Melissa Smith, organizer of Friends of Wisconsin Wolves, a wolf advocacy group.
Al Lobner, president of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, a key advocate for hunting wolves with dogs, didn’t immediately return a telephone message.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/284145811.html
Exposing the Big Game 
Know it, but hard to believe how primitive and barbaric so many are
Reblogged this on Howling For Justice and commented:
And they went over limit in zones 1 & 2 by 18 wolf lives. Now the death toll as at 146 and the limit is 150, so they need to close zones 3 & 6 soon. They better not keep those zones open after they hit 150 dead wolves just to please the sorry azz dog/wolf killing crowd!!!!
Hi Nabeki
I spoke with a guy names Dakota at the F&G ofice 3 days ago. They are saying that because the zones that are still open are not near their quota in those zones, they will allow them to fill those quotas in Zones 3&6 even thought this brings the total way over the quota.This is not right, but that is what they are saying
Poaching of wolves in WI is out of control, and it is believed that the “Sinconsin” DNR is ignoring the illegal killing as part of its “unwritten” plan to eradicate as many wolves as possible for the WI Bear Hunters Association, who hate them.
Wisconsin used to be a progressive state. What happened?
Good question.
I KNOW-HE’S CALLED SCOTT WALKER….why didn’t you guys have higher voter turnout and get him the hell out of office? We were all rooting for you-unbelievable…..