Posted on 01/24/2012 1:58:37 PM PST by marktwain
MADISON At least seven wolves appear to have been illegally killed during the recently completed Nov. 19-27 gun deer hunt, according to state wildlife officials. The shootings are being investigated.
It is unfortunate that some individuals have chosen to illegally kill these wolves. We understand that there is frustration with the slow response of the federal government that would allow us to actively manage our wolf population, but it is an illegal act and a federal offense, said Kurt Thiede, land division administrator for the state Department of Natural Resources. What we need is federal authority to legally deal with problem animals and to provide relief to farmers experiencing wolf depredations on livestock.
Wisconsin has a wolf management plan and is ready to take on management of its wolf population, estimated at a minimum of 782 animals last winter. Gray wolves had once disappeared from Wisconsin, but gradually moved back into the state from Minnesota and Michigan and re-populated former wolf territory under protections of the federal and state Endangered Species Acts.
Wisconsin officials have called for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the wolf in Wisconsin, considering it has far exceeded its established delisting goal of 100 animals, as well as the state management goal of 350 wolves.
Wolves are a part of our natural landscape and like all species we manage, we need to take into account ecological as well as social factors, added Thiede. That is the basis for how we established our management plan and our management goal.
In addition to the departments call for removing federal wolf protections, Wisconsins congressional delegation has also indicated support for delisting wolves in Wisconsin in a letter to the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which administers the federal Endangered Species Act. The wolf was removed from Wisconsins threatened and endangered list in 2004
Wolf depredations on livestock and hunting dogs have continued to increase as the wolf population expands. It is disappointing to see a species that has recovered, become devalued and viewed as a species that can be indiscriminately killed because it has exceeded some peoples level of tolerance for wolves. This administration has done all we can to make the strong case for delisting, and we hope it will occur early next year, said Thiede. DNR fully and adamantly supports delisting wolves in Wisconsin and returning management of the species to the state so that we can take steps to manage wolf populations and provide relief to farmers and pet owners through focused lethal control of problem animals.
The seven known kills are the third highest number of kills taking place during the gun deer hunt on record. Four of the dead wolves were actively being monitored with radio collars, and three others were not collared but were found dead in the field and reported by deer hunters. A total of 49 wolves were being monitored by radio-tracking by the DNR at the start of the gun deer season. One additional radio-collared wolf died from other causes, and three other radio-collared wolves went missing during the same time.
Nine wolves were killed during the 2006 hunt and eight for the same period in 2009; a total of 31 wolves have been illegally killed during November deer hunts between 2006 and 2011. Illegal kills also take place in summer months with 29 illegal kills between 2006 and 2011.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrian Wydeven (715) 762-1363 or Kurt Thiede (608) 266-5833
always follow the 3S’s
Shoot
Shovel
Shutup
I’s a shame but I’m sure a few farmers are happy. People should still be able to defend their livestock. Even here in MA I can shoot someone’s dog if it goes after my chickens.
LOL!
Shoot!
Shovel!
Shut up!
Just make it communists.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2836737/posts
It will be legal to shoot wolves in Wisconsin by the end of this week under certain circumstances.
Wisconsin Wolf Shooting Ping
If you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list, just FReep Mail me.
If I came face to face with a wolf in the woods, I would shoot the damn thing too. Not going to give it a chance to attack me.
How do they know these weren’t accidents? A few cows always seem to get it out here during deer and elk season.
Those who follow that advice won’t get their wolves counted in the toll. Damn shame, too, because they make superb rugs and pelts.
Off topic.... I wonder if this Thiede is a family member of the bar owner in the north woods that my sibs and cousins got plastered at. I never did. I was perfect.
Bwaahhhh
Back to shooting wolves..
“The shootings are being investigated.”
After 10 weeks—Yep! They were shot.
Or as Obama would say;
Snort
Snivel
Snotty pot!
I’m hearing some of these wolves were murdered with guns that were walked across the border.....It must be investibated at all costs....../sarc
Kurt Thiede is a perfect example of the zombie bureaucratic class. He adopts the infantile terminology of liberalism in blaming 'frustration.' No, Kurt, frustration is for kids who don't get a candy bar. Wolves in unchecked numbers are a danger on many fronts. If you are truly in touch with the practical issues of wildlife management then you should have spoken up and acted long ago.
I’m hearing some of these wolves were murdered with guns that were walked across the border.....It must be investigated at all costs....../sarc
Therein lies the problem.
...awww, gee, that’s too bad...
/s
Seven less to deal with.
“Dog is a tasty meal”
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