Wolf hunt decision still leaves unanswered questions
“I think we need to kill as many wolves as we can before the end of this month because it’s clear Biden’s people want to put them back on the Endangered List and, by November, they will have found a federal judge that will stop the hunt,” one hunter told me when we chatted about the announcement last week that Judge Brantmeler, a Jefferson County Circuit judge from Wisconsin, ruled that the DNR must hold a hunt this February.
I’m sure most of you have read about this; if you are interested, a simple search will produce a lot of information saying the same thing. So will a lot of social media posts.
The question I have is who is the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and the Kansas based hunters rights group called Hunter Nation, that sued the DNR to hold a wolf hunt? The president of Hunter Nation lives in Wisconsin. Doesn’t that just kind of raise more questions whatever side you fall on?
And then there are the logistical issues, like who gets to hunt wolves and where? Will this be an over-the-counter tag or do we apply for a kill permit? What is the deadline? And, as of the close of business on Friday, nothing about this has been said. The DNR website doesn’t even mention the decision.
“This plays right into the hands of the anti-hunting groups,” another hunter told me. “I think they will try and get a federal judge to stop this before it starts and they will say ‘See, we told you so, all they want to do is kill all the wolves, not manage them, and this is the proof.’ Then we are screwed for another 10 years.”
He continued further, saying he felt even if we as hunters go out and kill 50 or 500 wolves in the next two weeks, it will just be used as ammunition to stop next fall’s hunt and put wolves back on the Endangered Species List.
“Everyone knew that was the anti’s plan for next fall,” he continued. “So why give them what they want for one short season?”
He did also tell me he thinks the people running the wolf program for the DNR don’t want a wolf hunt and neither does the governor. He wants the state to retain control of management decisions.
On early Monday, more information started to come out about this possible hunt. The DNR will propose 200 permits. If approved for a kill permit starting at 0001 hours Tuesday, you can begin applying through 2400 hour on Saturday. Winners will be announced on Feb. 22, and you can start hunting or trapping as soon as you print your license and tag until close of hours on Feb. 28. Unless you’re laid off or can take time off, you’ll get two days hunt. Assistant Attorney General Gabe Johnson-Karp filed an appeal with Milwaukee’s District Court I last Friday, asking for action by 5 p.m. on Monday.
“To me this is a lot like this impeachment circus going on,” another hunter mentioned. “A colossal waste of taxpayer money for no reason, I just don’t see this happening in time. This should have occurred in January, not now.”
He went on to say that his dogs were now out of shape and all his gear is stowed and he isn’t ready.
“I’ll have to spend a couple hours blowing snow to get to the dog box, then get straw for it, pull gear out and test it. That takes time. I’m not burning vacation to do that so I’m ready for maybe hunt of a couple days for most guys. I’d rather be icefishing and start hunting them next fall.”
But he too fears that the hunt next year fall won’t take place. So he went on to say this is a cluster and it shouldn’t be.
My concern is that, no matter how this goes down, hunters are going to be upset over the fact that they didn’t get to hunt wolves for variety of reason. This could pit hunters against hunters if it comes off, which is why I’m protecting my friends’ identities.
I wish I had a crystal ball but where this ends up is anyone’s guess. It already is falling in the “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up,” category. But I can tell you a lot is going to happen between writing time and when you get this on Wednesday, because it’s changing faster than I can write.
THROUGH A DECOY ’ S E YE
CHUCK K OLAR LOCAL OUTDOORSMAN
