doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT: Wisconsin DNR Wolf damage report

I know, I've posted here before on this issue. Outdoor Life frequently emails a newsletter. This just showed up today. The latest email gave a Wisconsin DNR report on the record breaking year of 2010 on wolf killed animals. Wolves killed 75 farm animals on 47 different farms. 34 dogs reported killed with 20 being hounds. How many not reported?? How many folks think their dog just ran off. Estimate of 700 wolves in Wisconsin. Toss in the 20 deer kill/per wolf/per yr. and another 14,000 deer lost to the government protected wolves. Who'd a thunk it. What a surprise, Michigan DNR doesn't keep such a record, let alone post it. Randy

It has become extremely difficult to believe anything the Wisconsin DNR releases. They're out of touch with reality and do what ever necessary to keep their jobs. Our only hope is that the new WI DNR administration will get things straightened out. As an example, the Wolf situation is this state has been bad for some time and the DNR has completely ignored it. They now feel like they have to report something so they release this report because of all the heat that's been put on them.

Two years ago a friend had a field camera set up on a Wolf den and recorded 23 fawns being brought to the den by adult wolves in a 30 day period. The friend offered the tape to the DNR for review as proof that the wolf population is impacting the deer population. The DNR refused to even look at the film...that's right, they wouldn't even review it. It might suggest that the wolf population is indeed out of control. It might also suggest that's part of the reason the Wisconsin deer population is on the decline. They pay no attention to the truth.

Yes, the Wisconsin DNR needs a complete over haul. The WI deer season is a total mess, the WI Turkey season is a total mess, the Wisconsin DNR is a total mess.

Go ahead, have at it.....

Much as I love the natural world, let's face it Bears, Wolves, Panthers/Cougars and their ilk do not make good neighbors. Our pioneer forefathers nearly wiped the varmints out because they got tired of them killing the stock, scareing the womenfolks, and eating the occasional child.

I think the big predators have a place in our World, but it is limited to what remaining Wilderness we have. When the Wolves become numerous enough to spread outside of Yellowstone, for example it time again for varmint control...Geo

Randy,

Thanks for posting that. I hunt grouse every year in some of the most heavily wolf populated areas of Wisconsin. I am not sure how the stats are gathered. I am aware that the Wisconsin DNR attributes some of that to those who run bear packs in those areas.

Not so long ago, it was common to hear general announcements on the local radio stations about lost dogs being found during grouse season. Those announcements are getting fewer each year.

According to the Wisconsin DNR, what is normally considered prime grouse country (the area around Park Falls) is home to 5 wolf packs.

I keep a bell on my dog. I figure it is worth making our presence known. I also have taken to using a drilling while grouse hunting.

While I have never seen the elk herd(s), I do hear the bulls during the rut.

Pete

I agree that wolves and other big predators have a place in wilderness. One problem is that those who want to "bring back" these animals confuse sparsely populated areas,such as Michigan's Upper Peninsula or even parts of the Northern Lower Peninsula, with wilderness. These predators need to be effectively restricted to areas with no permanent human population. I had a close encounter with a Wolf in Northern Ontario, and there is no doubt in my mind that he was evaluating me as a possible meal. I understand that is the nature of a Wolf. It is not personal, just business. Nonetheless, I do not want them around me or those I am obligated to protect, (which includes my dogs). As the poster above said, they are not good neighbors!

Amen to all the above. I hunt both the Chequamagon and Marinette County every fall and have seen signs and wolves in both every time we've gone for the last 10 years. There are WAY too many despite what the DNR says! I fear some sad incident is all but inevitable - and I'm not just talking about a missing dog.

If so many hunters don't want preditors around then why do hunters feel the need to blow holes in trapped animals.I came back from KS trapping this fall 30 traps lighter from hunters. Countless coyotes and bobcats blown to hell,stolen animals and gear.

First of Wis. Dnr doesn't control the wolf population. Most realize that it is controlled by the federal goverment. Wolves doing damage come under the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture WildlifeDamage Section. They are the ones who investigate wolf damage claims and do the removal of the offending animals.

I hunt a number of areas that have wolf packs, both the flushing Lab. and GSP don't roam, they are trained to stay close. No longer bear hunt, to old for the chase. Most hounds are killed by wolves during the training period when the pack has pups with them I would not train in an area that has known wolf packs with my hounds.

I have been making an annual pilgrimage to Wis in pursuit of grouse for the last 18 years. The local folks have a saying about the wolves. They call it the 3 S's. If you have been up there I think you know what it means.

Apart from the slaying of the hunter's dogs, I'm delighted to hear that we have wolves in northern WI and if they take some game, so be it.

Isn't it acceptable to have predators preying upon game as well as hunters? Professional courtesy amongst like minded individuals?

I guess I just never mind true predators (coyote is not a true predator in my book) competing for resources with me. There is always equilibrium and cougars, wolves and fox never seem to effect my pleasure in hunting game. (if they are coming up to your barn door, by all means, do what you must!)