130-wolf limit proposed by Wisconsin officials for fall hunt

Wisconsin officials are proposing a wolf hunt mandate, which would cap the number of wolves that can be killed during the annual hunt to 130, The Associated Press reports.

The proposal comes after wolf hunters exceeded quota in all six of the state’s management zones during the February hunting season. Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ended the season early after hunters killed 53 percent more wolves than allowed in the first 72 hours of the season. The scheduled hunting period, originally slated to last a week, only lasted a few days.

In just four days 218 wolves were killed, exceeding the allowed 119, according to the AP.

The Center for Biological Diversity was one of many groups that condemned the hunt, dubbing it “a reckless slaughter.” 

February’s hunt was the first since 2014, as former President Trump removed protections for the wolf populations in January. As soon as the animals were removed from the endangered species list, a wolf hunt was scheduled for the following month. The hunt’s impact on the wolf population still remains unclear, as it was held during the animal’s breeding season, notes the AP.

The DNR last week submitted a proposal that includes the 130 wolf quota last week, warning of impacts of over-hunting the species.

“Sustainable management requires conservatism and caution in this fall’s quota,” Keith Warnke, administrator of the DNR’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Division, wrote in the memo.