The Wisconsin Wolf Hunt, now in its second year, began on Tuesday. Several thousand hunters from around the state will compete for the hides of 251 wolves allotted by the state's Wolf Advisory Committee, according to thewisconsinwolfhunt.com.
The Wolf Advisory Committee, with help and approval from the Natural Resources Board, started the tradition last year as a way to protect crops and cut down a wolf population that had grown too large, as per its research. Organizers admit they're still refining the event's regulations, the Wisconsin Wolf Hunt reported.
"This is Wisconsin's second state-managed wolf hunt, and a continued testament to the recovery of wolves in Wisconsin," said Dave MacFarland, DNR carnivore specialist. "As we did for the inaugural hunt, we are entering this second season cautiously and will continue to learn valuable information for updating the state's wolf management plan and adopting permanent wolf hunting rules. We are anticipating another successful, safe, season.
"In order to meet management objectives, putting downward pressure on the population, the number of wolves removed from the landscape needs to increase this year," MacFarland said. "The 2013 quota is designed to start doing so, in a responsible and sustainable manner."
Approximately 16,672 hunters applied for permits this season (down from the over 20,000 who applied in 2012) and only 2,510 were given out. Permits were awarded on Aug. 15 after a randomized drawing, according to The Wisconsin Wolf Hunt.
The permit process is unique and tries to be as fair as possible. Those who apply one year and don't win are awarded a preference point that will raise their percentages in future drawings. Applicants are also allowed to forego their chances at the current year's hunt and apply directly for more preference points for next year. In fact, over 4,500 decided to go that route in 2013, as per The Wisconsin Wolf Hunt.
Wolf quotas will be broken down into six harvest zones, the largest allowing 76 kills.
Not everyone is happy about the hunt. According to wtaq.com, Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf planned a protest on Tuesday. Animal rights groups from around the country are similarly outraged. They believe the gray wolf population is too weak to support such a hunt and plan to challenge the event's legitimacy in federal court.
According to The Wisconsin Wolf Hunt, the hunt will end when 251 wolves are killed or by February, whichever comes first.
"We do expect population decline in all areas of the state, though decline will be less in areas considered core habitat for wolves," MacFarland said. "The zone quotas concentrate hunting pressure more in areas with higher potential for agricultural conflicts, which is generally outside of core habitat areas."
