https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/outdoors/2021/06/21/dnr-estimates-wisconsin-5-percent-wolf-decline-previous-winter/7776421002/

Paul A. SmithMilwaukee Journal SentinelView Comments

Wisconsin had 1,136 wolves prior to the controversialhunting and trapping season last winter, according a preliminaryestimate released Monday bythe Department of Natural Resources.

The number represents a 5% decline from the previous winter.

The state’s population of wolves was further reduced in late February by at least 218, or 20%, during a court-mandated wolf hunting and trapping season.

The agency released the wolf population estimate as it prepares to convene the second and final meeting of its Wolf Harvest Advisory Committee on Tuesday.

However, the DNR did not providea post-hunt or early-summer wolf population estimate,critical data as it works to recommend a wolf kill quota for the state’s next scheduled wolf season in November.

Keith Warnke, DNR administratorof fish, wildlife and parks, has already stated the agency’s objective for the fall 2021wolf season is “no substantive change to the wolf population…