Wolf hunting: Hunting Dogs Now Allowed

Standing around three feet tall and weighing on average, 80 pounds, wolves are not a force to be messed with.  If you have ever experienced hearing a howling wolf in the woods you know the deep chill it sends down your back.  The wolf population is growing in Wisconsin and due to this growth other wildlife population’s decrease.  Wisconsin opened up wolf hunting last year in order to take the number of wolves that was around 850 down to 350.  The DNR reported that the total number of wolves killed was 238, which included 117 by hunting, 75 for depredation, 19 illegally and 22 in car collisions.  The 2012 hunt was cut two months short due to the cap being reached so quickly.

One topic that has sparked a lot of controversy is the use of dogs.  The DNR has stated that the use of dogs is now legal in hunting wolves.  They say that, “the owner’s must have their dog’s rabies and dog license tags, cannot use the dog to kill any wildlife, and cannot use more then six dogs in a single pack.”  The main concern is that wolves cannot climb trees, so when cornered, it will turn and fight.  A lot of people perceive this as “dog fighting” but the DNR is all for training dogs to hunt wolves.  They say that if a dog is injured during a wolf pursuit the owner will be paid a maximum of $2500 depending on the circumstance.  I personally believe that dogs should not be used in these hunts.  Most hunting dogs are half the size of a wolf and if cornered by a pack of wolves, there is not much hope for the dog.

If you wish to get in on the hunt in the 2013 season the deadline for signing up is August 1^st.  For more information on regulations and how to receive your wolf permit Click Here.