Currently, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is still waiting for the new wolf plan to be approved. During the wait, no wolf hunts will be conducted.
The state’s old wolf plan was drafted in the 1990s. However, the new plan seems to have one major goal that is the same as the old one. That goal is a wolf population cap of 350 wolves. According to the state’s latest “wolf monitoring report” there are between 937 – 1,364 wolves in Wisconsin. The winter wolf hunt was canceled after a court delay. The court was to look at a lawsuit that focused on closing wolf hunting due to not having an updated wolf plan. However, since that time the state still hasn’t released its new wolf plan. However, the initial draft of the plan was supposed to be approved last spring.
As of right now no one really knows when the plan will be approved, or if they do know no one is saying anything.
“It is important to take the time necessary to ensure the draft is reflective of the input received. While the process has taken longer than originally anticipated, we look forward to sharing the draft for public review when it is ready.” – WDNR spokeswoman Sarah Hoye
In Febuary of 2021, the state held its first wolf hunt after a legal battle over it. In three days, hunters surpassed the quota and the hunt was closed. Since that time it has been a war of words, legal battles, and delays. You can read our coverage of the wolf saga in Wisconsin by clicking here and here. As with all things Wisconsin wolves it is unknown when this will be resolved or if it ever will be.
You can read more about the wolf plan being in limbo by clicking here.
