Timber wolves are seen as both beautiful and majestic animals that should be protected at any cost and as evil, bloodthirsty predators that should be eliminated. This duality of beauty and the beast has once again put the wolf in the middle of a heated debate. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is attempting to de-list the wolf from a threatened species and some groups will be pushing to change wolves' status to \furbearing."" This could be the first step in establishing a hunting season on wolves in Wisconsin.
The state threshold for de-listing wolves from a threatened species is maintaining a population of 250 individuals for one year, which the Wisconsin wolves have met. According to the DNR, there are currently between 328 and 347 wolves living outside of Indian reservations in Wisconsin. The majority of the wolf territories are in Central and Northern Wisconsin but there have been sightings in Southern Wisconsin as well.
""Initially [the status change] isn't going to mean much,"" said Adrian Wydeven, a mammalian ecologist for the DNR. ""It's setting the stage for when the animals are federally de-listed.""
On the Federal Endangered Species List, Canis lupus is currently listed as a ""threatened species"" downgraded from ""endangered"" in April 2003.
Lisa Naughton, associate professor of geography at UW-Madison and wolf researcher, said the state de-listing is appropriate.
""The outlook for wolves in Wisconsin is quite good. I am more concerned with federal initiatives to de-list because that could limit the possibility to colonize areas where they are now absent,"" she said.
The Wolf Management Plan from the DNR states that once the wolf is de-listed by the state it would become a ""protected nongame species"" like the badger. This status would allow similar protection from hunting, but allow landowners greater flexibility in controlling wolves that prey on livestock and pets-but there are strict criteria for this to occur. The landowner must have a WDNR permit, report any wolf killed within 24 hours and surrender the wolf back to the state.
Once the wolf numbers reach the management goal of 350 individuals statewide, there could be legislation introduced to allow limited public harvest of wolves. As controversial as this idea is, it is similar to other recovered ""furbearer"" populations in the state such as the bear and bobcat.
""A harvest would be heavily regulated and we would have to exceed 350 individuals by a feasible amount in order to justify [a harvest],"" Wydeven said, adding that there would be a limited amount of permits sold to hunters.
""We want them de-listed so we can harvest them,"" Rick Posig, president of the Wisconsin Bear Hunter's Association said.
Predation is the leading cause of anti-wolf sentiment in the state. Hunters lose hunting dogs to wolves every year. DNR statistics show that in the past few years eight to 17 hounds per year have been killed in hunting and training situations, but only three have been lost in 2003. There are compensation programs paying $2,500 per dog to owners of lost animals.
""I've seen only one wolf this past summer,"" said UW-Madison sophomore Ben Camps who lives in Marinette County, ""but one is too many. I don't want to see them go into extinction, but I don't want them in my backyard.""
The DNR has offered a chance for its citizens' voices to be heard at six public hearings around the State. In Madison, the meeting will be held on Nov. 5 in Room 027 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St.
