February wolf season ends quickly as overall quota is surpassed
Wisconsin’s February wolf hunting and trapping season was organized in a hurry and ended in a hurry, lasting just three days.
Two 24-hour notices were announced Tuesday by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Combined, those notices ended the season –– which was scheduled to run from Monday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 28 –– on Wednesday.
Before this week’s issue of The Star News went to press, the DNR had reported a total of 162 wolves harvested statewide. The last update was posted at noon on Wednesday.
During the Natural Resources Board’s special meeting on Feb. 15, the board unanimously voted for a harvest quota of 200 wolves outside reservation lands. Of the approved quota, 119 wolves are allocated to the state, and 81 wolves are allocated to the Ojibwe Tribes in response to the Tribes’ declaration and in accordance with their treaty rights within the Ceded Territory.
The department’s approved quota considered 2020 wolf population data, population response to previous harvest seasons, scientific literature, and population model projections. The proposed quota’s objective is to allow for a sustainable harvest that neither increases nor decreases the state’s wolf population.
Wolf harvest zones 2, 5 and 6 were closed as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday. At the last update, Zone 2, which includes the far eastern portion of Taylor County, had reported a harvest of 39 wolves, easily surpassing the zone’s quota of 18. Zone 5, which is the Central Forest Zone centering on Jackson, Clark, Juneau and Adams counties, had a harvest of 26 wolves. The quota was 27. Zone 6, which covers about the southern two-thirds of the state, excluding Zone 5, had reported a take of 37 wolves, more than doubling the quota of 17. Land south of Hwy 64 in Taylor County is part of Zone 6.
Harvest zones 1, 3 and 4 were closed as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The last update showed a harvest 26 wolves in Zone 3, a portion of which covers the majority of Taylor County. The zone’s quota was 20. Zone 3 also includes portions of Price, Rusk, Chippewa, Sawyer, Washburn, Barron, Burnett and Polk counties.
Zone 1, which covers far northern and western Wisconsin, had reported 28 wolves taken out of a quota of 31. Zone 4 is the smallest wolf harvest zone, consisting primarily of land in eastern Lincoln, Langlade, Oconto and Marinette counties. It had a quota of six wolves and six were registered as of Wednesday at noon.
The DNR is actively working to prepare for a fall 2021 wolf harvest season through a transparent and science-based process. This approach will include coordination with the state’s tribal partners and solicitation of public input on harvest objectives. The department plans to present its quota recommendation to the Natural Resources Board at its August meeting.
