WOLF POPULATION CONTROL?

CiUBcy7hU>http://www.startribune.com/local/34718879.html?elr=KArksCiUBcy7hU

Here is a link to an article in the Star Tribune. Not that I want to see any animal suffer, but maybe this disease will cross the border and help control our current wolf population.

This was also in the mentioned in the latest Wisconsin Outdoor News.

MN has a quota of 400 next year. Whats ours?

HFC, the dnr dont even listen to there own people when it comes to animal management. So yes I agree with you, They dont know what they have!!!!

@theimer....The DNR said there were 800+ wolves last year as well. Typical packs increase 15-20% annually, so I don't believe their estimates from this year, or last year.

Well said lakeshiner. I too agree with treeshark and have not fished the Fox, Bay or Winnebago systems. I think the photo you attached sums up the point I was trying to make. There are QUANTITIES of outdoor hunting and fishing experiences, but not necessarily too many QUALITY experiences. The reasons are many. With that, it is time to pack for a in search of perch trip to Northern Wisconsin.

I agree a lot with what Treeshark said. There are some good lakes in the northern part of the state, but they most likely aren't as good as they once were. I blame the internet mostly. It's not as bad anymore because people learned but it still doesn't help, more bad than good if you ask me.

First wi only has 800 wolves estimated by dnr. Their plans is to give permits to land owners that had problem with wolves in the last two years. They are going to address the problem wolves first and go from there. Here is the link for the dnr plans. http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=310#art1

The minneapolis star-tribune reported today that the MDNR were going to open a wolf season for 2012. The quota number they are allowing to be killed is 400 wolves. Considering that Minnesota has about 3000 wolves for a population I would guess that Wisconsin should allow about 250-300 to be harvested. The only thing not clear right now is when and what type of season would be available. (meaning a separate season or one that runs with the deer season). How can the Minnesota DNR have all this figured out already but Wisconsin.......not a peep. Either way its not enough but at least its a start.

Very good points Ol swamp. especially about the two legged ones that have over done it for years!

In my humble opinion, I believe that Wisconsin is the land of QUANTITY hunting and fishing opportunities but not QUALITY hunting and fishing opportunities. There are very few outdoor experiences on public land and water in Wisconsin that are worth the cost or the time anymore. The over-issue of anterless tags, too many bears and wolves and unlimited hunters on our public lands has decimated the deer population on pubic lands in central and northern Wisconsin. I can't speak for Southern WI, as I do not hunt there. Next, look at our walleye populations in the state. The over-harvest during spearing season and the hook and line season coupled with a pathetic attempt by the DNR to restock lakes makes it just about worthless for a guy to drive to Northern Wisconsin for a weekend of walleye fishing. Talk to someone who owns a chunk of private land....do they see more deer on the private than the hunters on the public? In my opinion, as a land owner in Wood county (first time landowner this year) who also has hunted public land 25+ years, there is no comparison. I was lucky to see a deer on public land the last few years, versus, seeing multiple deer on every hunt on private land, not to mention, more and larger bucks. I have had a few opportunities to bow and gun hunt on public land in SD for both whitetails and mule deer. In my five, 4-5 day trips, it was not uncommon to see 50, 75 or even 100 deer in a day. Yes, 100 deer in one day. I realize that some of these are the same deer, but my point is, it is a quality experience, and this was on public land. Next, talk to people in Northern MN, ND, or SD about their perch and walleye fishing. No comparison. For anyone who has had the opportunity to travel to Ontario, you know that you will catch more walleyes in one morning in Ontario than 10 or 15 trips to Northern Wisconsin. I realize there are many variables that go into successful hunting and fishing trips. It just seems that so much of what we pony up for licenses and taxes in this state go to fund everything but actually improving the hunting and fishing in Wisconsin. I am not sure what percentage of our license fees go to restocking or wild life habitat, but I would be willing to bet it is less than 25%. I could be wrong, but from my discussion with other hunters and fishermen, the QUALITY experience is gone. In short, in my opinion, the wolves are not the only problem, but they are part of the problem.

What you are fighting is a concerted effort to reinstate wolves to their entire historic range. This isn't conjecture it is the stated mission of the bio-diversity group. What is the historical range of the gray wolf. http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/233/gray-wolf-facts.html statement from 2010 http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2010-07-21-wolves_N.htm

It is very difficult to bag wolves via firearms. If the trappers and dog runners were to be given first priority I would have no problem with it. A small number would probably be shot if a wolf gun season coinsided with the deer gun season much as was the case for coyotes in the north. Perhaps Wildman or others could start training a couple of Russian wolfhounds to run. Wouldn't that be sweet. Payback is a b&*%$. One thing that absolutely must happen is the reduction of doe permits regardless of any change in the four legged predator seasons. The 2 legged one has over done it for too long. I do find the whole thing quite comical though. I can remember a time growning up when family dogs were even shot to protect the deer herd if they were caught running them. Seems we have done a complete 180 there.

I think all realize this isn't a one shot fixes all. The deer herd, especially in the north, was reduced too far by the limitless doe tags spit out by the DNR and their inflated numbers. Bear numbers have increased dramatically over the last 40 years. I can remember when coming across a bear track during hunting season was a rarity. Why, because you could shoot one using your regular big game license each and every time you came acrossed one. Coyotes? Even though they are still shot in good numbers the season is limited where it is needed the most. In the south they are called and shot and a good number taken during the deer season each year. In the north the season is closed (this should be changed now that the wolf is no longer on the endangered list) to protect the wolf and dog runners are becoming more and more weary of finding their dogs in pieces when running or training on bear or 'yotes. Ask Wildman if you don't believe me. Which of course brings us to the wonderful wolf. Protected, left to multiply limitlessly, and inserting themselves into areas already suffering reduced deer herds because of overkill by bear, 'yotes, and humans. The result, herds reduced even farther to the point of having no deer in large areas especially public.

K,insurance companies?????.Stick to the facts.Sounds like you live within 50 miles of Madison.Ouch.Yea, you got a few wolves south of 64 right now,but I'll bet in less than five years you will have double that.Plain and simple when the food is gone so are the wolves.There isnt much food left up here. Sounds like in a few years they will have elk to eat down there too.What a waste of money.I'll garantee the elk numbers in clam lake are not what they say.

While I feel the wolf should be controlled (CONTROLLED not extirpated) it is beyond me why all the people who want them gone don't get vocal about coyote's and bear's. Both prey on deer, especially fawns. There should be a season on wolves to keep their numbers down, but there should also be a much larger number of bear permits available. Likewise, there should be some emphasis on upping the coyote kill every year. Fewer doe tags in some areas would help as well. Additionally, as far as the elk go, stop wasting the money on them. The current program spends way to much money for to little of a return. Start culling wolves in the Clam Lake area or kill the program.

HeHeHe, so if the interest isn't there or the ability to control predators to an acceptable level to insure a huntable ruminant population with a traditional hunting season isn't the answer, what needs to be done? LAB you want to answer this one? Yet again!