DNR seeking public comment on fall 2021 wolf season, future of wolf management

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Monday announced it is seeking public input on the next 10 years of wolf management in Wisconsin.

The DNR simultaneously requests public comment on the fall 2021 wolf harvest season through the same online input tool.

The public comment period will be open April 15 to May 15 during which the online input tool will be available on the DNR wolf management plan webpage, https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/ wolfmanagementplan.

As part of the management plan revision process, the DNR will convene a Wolf Management Plan Committee (WMPC). Ahead of the summer WMPC meetings, the DNR encourages the public to provide input on the next 10 years of wolf management in Wisconsin.

Following the public comment period on wolf management’s future in Wisconsin, the WMPC will provide input to the DNR for developing an updated wolf management plan. The committee will comprise stakeholder groups, including hunting/trapping organizations, wolf advocacy/education organizations and agricultural/ranching organizations. The DNR also reserves additional seats on the WMPC for invited tribal and governmental agencies, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and DNR technical staff support.

The DNR will write an initial draft of the wolf plan, guided by science and input from the WMPC and the public. The draft plan will be made available for public review and comment. The DNR will then submit a final draft to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for approval in mid-2022.

The DNR is also simultaneously working to prepare for a fall 2021 wolf harvest season through a transparent and science-based process. The DNR has convened a 2021 Wolf Harvest Advisory Committee to provide input on the fall season’s management objectives and harvest quota. The committee will con- sider the current management plan, state statute and the February 2021 season report (available at https://widnr.widen. net/s/k8vtcgjwkf/wolf-season-reportfebruary- 2021) in providing input to the department.

Throughout the process, the DNR will also coordinate with tribal partners and seek further public input on harvest objectives.

February 2021 stats

According to the February 2021 season report, 218 wolves were harvested by state license holders, including six in Taylor County. Of the 208 wolves taken by hunters, 188 (86%) were taken with the aid of trailing hounds, 16 (7%) were taken with the aid of predator calls and four (2%) were taken by stand/still hunting. Of the 10 taken by trappers, seven (3%) were taken with foothold traps and three (2%) were taken with cable restraints.

There were 102 female wolves harvested and 116 males. The estimated age of harvested wolves consisted of 20 young of the year (9%), 110 subadults (51%) and 85 adults (39%). Age data was not collected on three wolves.

The DNR’s Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection conducted a total of 101 wolf hunting/trapping related investigations and issued 14 citations during the season. There were four illegally harvested wolves recovered. They were included in the total harvest figure of 218.

By county, Forest County had the highest harvest with 19, followed by Clark (15), Douglas (15), Burnett (14) and Price (12) counties.

Of the 14 citations, six were due to having a loaded firearm in a moving or stationary vehicle; two were due to failure to immediately validate the wolf carcass tag upon harvest; two were due to failure to carry a valid carcass tag while hunting/ trapping; one was due to an illegally placed cable restraint; one was due to operating a snowmobile on a public trail without a valid trail pass; one was due to discharging a firearm within 50 feet of the center of a roadway and one was due to hunting wolves without first purchasing the required license.

There were 27,151 total applicants, including 18,503 for licenses and 8,648 for preference points. There were 2,380 successful applicants, including 2,324 state residents and 56 non-resident. Of those 2,380, 1,548 actually bought harvest licenses, including 1,526 residents and 22 non-residents.

Zone 1 in northwest Wisconsin led the state with 53 harvested wolves, well above its quota of 31. Zone 6, which covers much of the southern two-thirds of the state, reported a harvest of 45 wolves, 2.5 times its quota of 17. Zone 2 in northeastern Wisconsin, which includes far eastern Taylor County, had a harvest of 43 wolves. Its quota was 18. Zone 3, which starts in Taylor and Price counties and moves westward to the Minnesota border, had a harvest of 42 wolves and a quota of 20. Zone 5, which is the central forest zone, had a harvest of 31 wolves, just over the quota of 27. The smallest zone, Zone 4, which is primarily located in Lincoln, Langlade, Oconto and Marinette counties had a harvest of four wolves, under its quota of six.

Wolf Management Planning Committee timeline

_ February-March 2021: The DNR invites tribal participation and membership on the new WMPC. The application period opens for stakeholder organizations to apply for a seat on the committee.

_ April-May 2021: The public is invited to comment on the future of wolf management in Wisconsin.

_ July-October 2021: The WMPC will convene for a series of four meetings to draft input for the revised wolf management plan.

_ February 2022: Draft plan available for public input. The DNR will seek public input on the initial draft of the revised wolf management plan. The DNR will host two public information sessions before preparing a final draft of the revised wolf management plan.

_ June 2022: The final draft is presented to the Natural Resources Board. The board reviews and considers approval of the updated wolf management plan.

2021 wolf harvest season planning timeline

_ March 2021: License application process opens March 1. Customers can log into their Go Wild account to apply for a 2021 harvest license or preference point.

_ April-May 2021: The Wolf Harvest Advisory Committee meets in each month to discuss harvest objectives and draft input for the fall 2021 season. The public is invited to give input on the 2021 wolf harvest season objectives April 15May 15.

_ June-July 2021: A second comment period opens to allow feedback on final quota recommendation. The DNR will invite consultation with tribal partners in making its harvest quota recommendation.

_ August 2021: The license application deadline closes Aug. 1. The DNR will present its quota recommendations to the Natural Resources Board. The board is expected to review and approve the 2021 season harvest quota at its August meeting.

_ September 2021: Applicants are notified of drawing results in Go Wild by Sept. 21. Postcard notifications will also be sent by mail.

_ November 2021: By statute, the 2021 wolf harvest season will open on the first Saturday of November (Nov. 6).

_ February 2022: By statute, the 2021 wolf harvest season will close no later than Feb. 28. Specific harvest zones may be closed prior to this date as harvest quotas are met.