Wolf population levels off after hunt
New estimate of 809 to 834 animals
Wisconsin's wolf population is estimated to be in the range of 809 to 834 animals in 215 packs, with 15 lone animals, the Department of Natural Resources said Monday.
Wolf population growth of at least 10 percent a year in the 2000's has leveled off following the state's first modern-day wolf hunt in 2012, in which 117 animals were killed. Another 126 wolves were killed in 2012 by landowners or government agents for livestock depredations, vehicle collisions, illegal kills or unknown causes, according to DNR figures.
The DNR counts wolves through aerial surveys, radio telemetry and winter track counts performed by DNR staff and trained volunteers, said David MacFarland, DNR large carnivore specialist.
Before the hunt in 2012, the DNR estimated Wisconsin's wolf population to be 815 to 880 animals, in 213 packs with 20 lone animals.
The DNR's management goal is to "bring downward pressure on the wolf population," MacFarland told wisn.com. He said the 2012 hunt "stabilized it, but did not put significant downward pressure on the wolf population."
The state's wolf management plan, developed in 1999, calls for a population of 350 wolves. MacFarland said that plan will be updated in 2014.
The Wolf Advisory Committee, made up primarily of DNR experts, hunting and user groups, and federal agents, will meet May 23 to develop the wolf hunting quota for the fall of 2013.
From there, the quota will be considered by the DNR Wildlife Policy Team, the DNR secretary, and finally the Natural Resources Board. The quota is expected to be released in June, MacFarland said.