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 department’s call for removing federal wolf protections, Wisconsin’s 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 Wisconsin’s 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 people’s 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
but we have no problem punishing you for our ineptitude.
That works well for some things, but for wolves I recommend Trap, Drive, Release. Should be a big hit on the grounds of the capitol around 0800.
Beat me to it.
There was a story in the NY Post that has biologists protesting the new Gray something wolf movie. The woman went on to explain that wolves don’t hunt people, rather they shy away. The description of events in the story you link have one wolf taking the high ground, another taking the low, and the others covering front and rear. What a twit.
Ok, as long as they are released in DNR Headquarters Offices.
If I had shot one of them, that collar would have been attached to the undercarriage of a semi headed to Albquerque or Alaska.......
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 people’s level of tolerance for wolves
What better explanation can there be of hostility toward wolves killing dogs, cattle and horses, cats too, than the public "devaluing" them.
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 people’s level of tolerance for wolves
What better explanation can there be of hostility toward wolves killing dogs, cattle and horses, cats too, than the public "devaluing" them.
Starting Monday you can do that with a wolf in WI too. If a wolf attacks your dog or cattle tomorrow, take a picture and send the DNR a bill. Unless you own a shovel.
I personally killed two wolves in Wisconsin and in each case I was concerned with my safety and the safety of others. When I have a gun (deer season) in my possession, I don’t fear a lot of animals, but the wolves, both of them, didn’t seem to realize that I was in charge. They do now, and they are gone forever. Too many of anything is not a good idea. Wolves are magnificent, beautiful animals. When they do not fear humans, there are too many of them...I yelled, threw things etc. but they just didn’t understand the power of a 12 gauge deer slug.
Self defense. Me or them. 3S’s.
Boo hoo hoo! I feel so bad about those poor dear wolves being killed. Perhaps we should have a human sacrifice to appease the wolf-gods.
According to the wikipedia entr for the movie, the loony left is already protesting the depiction...
A few weeks later, the folks monitoring its collar were stunned when it suddenly took off down I-80 at 70mph. They found the wolf carcass on the back of a semi that had just refueled at a truck stop outside of Green River. The shooter was never identified.
Mexico.
The watchers would just figure it was a Romney supporter and was self-deporting.
LOL!!!! Good for the folk who did this....
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