Wisconsin 2021 Wolf Season Progress

Wish everyone well that got a tag!

Let us know what and how you're doing. Post pics if you're comfortable!


Go Get Them!

X2

Awsome Waiting

I've heard of some being taken in Sawyer already. No pics yet though.

I know of one taken near Winter.

Following. Super excited for you guys!

lets the pics and vids roll in, goot luq ya'll

good luck to all ,

Hope you all fill a tag!

Chris

If someone has a tag I might know a guy with hounds that Is looking for a tag holder.

If anyone needs a spot in zone 1 they have been in three days straight

I drew a tag hopefully I can get lucky. Will be in zone 5.

I know of 8 taken in Eau Claire County this morning.

The tribes just cut the take in half unless they intend to hunt their "brother wolves". Disgusting.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/spor...lves-wisconsin-february-hunt/4543149001/

Hope a bunch get taken out along the border with the U.P.

Best of luck fellas.
If you run short, we can send you some.

Send them to south Dakota no quota just shot on sight year around. Still trying to get my first one.

No pics yet???

Any pics make it to Facebook yet??? I don't have it.

I did see 1 on facebook but it was only a belly shot and wasn't sure if it was troll bait.

I heard that 100 wolves have been registered. Don't know If that's fact or fiction.

I hope everyone is taking full advantage of the 24 hour registration rule...no reason to register a harvest any sooner than is required. All it will do is allow them to shut the season down sooner. It's our time to return the favor.

Well the tribe took out 81 of the 200 quota on the first day. I have heard conflicting reports on numbers actually registered so I guess I will wait for the state to release numbers.

Edit. Here is some reliable info.


The 2020-2021 wolf harvest season finally got underway yesterday, and through 8 a.m. this morning, 52 wolves had already been reported. Hunters and trappers have 24 hours to report harvests.
Many people living in wolf country have never seen a wolf, yet hunters and trappers are able to rapidly fill quotas. That's a testament to just how many wolves are really out there.
In the coming months, the DNR's Wolf Committee will be taking the first steps to update the State Wolf Plan. There are groups and individuals who will lobby the agency to raise its minimum population goal (currently 350) significantly. Farmers, hunters and businesses in wolf country will likely push back strongly against that.

According to the DNR website, as of 8:00 am this morning, 52 wolves have been harvested.

No zones are closed yet.

Use the rules to your fullest advantage guys....keep the season open as long as possible.

Zone 2, 5, and 6 will close tomorrow at 10AM according to website.

What a joke.

Here is the breakdown by zone as of today, 2/23 at 10 AM.

Dave

Zones 2 5 and 6 close tomorrow at 10am.

Can you register a wolf you haven't caught yet, in case you catch him later?
It would make for a longer, more relaxing season.

So the natives don't actually hunt any?
Why not double the quota so it balances out.

I think the powers in the DNR are quite happy with high wolf numbers. Their own population goal is 350 wolves, one third of the current population. They are wanting to raise the population goal, not reduce the population. Until they change their thinking we will have an over abundance of wolves in most of the northern part of the state.

Let’s appeal the closure. Lol

Zones are already at or over and season doesnt stop until tomorrow.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/wolf/index.html

Makes up for the ones the Indians won't shoot.

This seems more like a wolf trapping derby than a season.

Any data on trapped vs. hunted numbers?

A pic from zone 6 my dad sent me this morning

They are shutting it all down tomorrow...

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hun...UKhwold_x2_Cn2aTst4h238v2F_MDPKMBvtkt4bc

All hunted?

Would love to see some photos of trapped.

Well a least 3 of them from what I can see aren't worth skinning. And the one is questionable.

Why close zone 1 tomorrow? 9 of 31 they must expect a good day tomorrow. What a joke of a season, I am sure glad I went for the preference point instead of the tag. But if I draw this fall I will have a few days to catch an un-prime wolf before they shut down the season, what a joke. They need to split the tags hunting and trapping and give the trapper a chance, and why take the Natives 1/2 out of the quota, don't they have to go by the season dates too? If they plan to harvest any.

Right on...there will be some takeaways from this short two day season for sure!

In a small quota season trappers are at a big disadvantage unless they already have a coyote line out. There are way too many wolves, so any legal way they are harvested is good with me.

What about the non-resident tags, they have to wait until Monday morning to find out if they got a tag, then travel here and find out the season is closed. Maybe they will return their money plus expenses, any bets.

Any nonresident that got in this one and didn't have a plan to already be here on Monday wasn't thinking clearly. We gavve out twice the tags and had a quota that was comparable to first season when population was not nearly this size. There was a reason I was so confident that any money the antis threw into it was was never going to save a wolf. Candidly it probably killed a few more.

I see your point, the non-resident trapper would have to already know an area, be there Monday morning, if they drew, set some traps and or cable restraints and enjoy their two morning check.

I want to trap a wolf, most places I have trapped they come through every week or two, so unless I am extremely Lucky, (which I am not) my odds of getting a wolf are slim.

This needs to happen. Trappers start one year and hunters the next season.

x2

I really hope they are keeping the data on wolves killed with dogs vs. trapping, etc. in the various zones.

Moosetrot

52 in a couple days that is encouraging. Many may be upset about the short notice, short season and fast closings but the fact that with limited prep time etc. that many wolves have been harvested in my opinion bodes very well for season with fairly high quotas for this fall or coming seasons. The fact that the tribes are able to garner 40% of the tags needs to be taken into consideration if we want to keep wolves in the more wolf habitat areas and not in the more farm and livestock regions. Wolves being territorial the dispersing need space and habitat for their area and the more wolves in the more preferred wolf habitat the further the dispersing wolves need to travel. I don't know what the tribes are calculating as to what they want or feel is needed for wolf population in their ceded areas. Historically with mature forests for many many years there would likely have been far fewer deer in the north and maybe even fewer beaver with less young aspen, birch and alder. Which means there was less prey for wolves so it is only a guess what the population was pre white settlement.

Bryce

I agree with most of what you say. But let’s be clear, the natives did not take 40% of the tags. They took 50% of the QUOTA in the ceded territory. That is way way worse than taking tags! Let them have the tags and let the harvest happen.

They took both in my understanding. We only issued around 2100 tags and quota was reduced to 119.

We don't need sperate seasons. Normal seasons start the first Saturday in November. Trappers have the advantage and it shows in all our data up to this point.

Usually no snow in November to run dogs with.

I noticed 6 trucks with dog boxes with dogs inside heading down a country road this morning in Oneida County. Glad to hear that wolves were harvested. Would be nice to see a full season with a more generous harvest quota as there are no shortages of wolves here in the northwoods!

Chris

The snow and good conditions really helped the houndsmen. they are wackin and stakin. In a regular season , before snow the trappers have a better shot and will fill most of the quota. There is a lot of beer be'in drank in zone 1 tonite.

Well if the ceded territory wants to protect the wolf, maybe we do need separate seasons. Let them sleep in their own bed.

Oops

Did you expect them to be good this late?

Nice job wisconsonites!.
Keep hammering them.

No but I tried to convince Nimzy as to that Issue.

Typical hound handled goods. Kinda like grading drown coon.

Definitely hunter advantage. Glad they got their season and pleased they tagged out.

Nimzy: no tag and zero preference points, not a fan of trophies.

Beav, I'd like to see an alternating start too...but there are issues with that. The biggest issue I see is that hound hunting wolves in November just isn't practical for several reasons. No snow and it would clash big time with the all mighty deer rut.

Maybe a solution is to have wolf season from January 1 through February 15. Pelts would be more prime at this time of the year and deer season would be over allowing better land access. The first week of the season could be alternated every other year between trapping and hunting. Similar to bear hunting where sitters go first one year and then hounds the next.

I don't know the answer but something needs to change.

We don't want two seasons IMO. Nothing good comes from it and it just pits different user groups against each other.

The current framework is fine and especially for upcoming seasons when we are likely to see much larger quotas as we finally make a dent in population. This season was only going to last a week max which put huge pressure on front end of season. Never mind, we also had twice the number of tags issued.

Look at the last season. We still had two zones that stayed open into December.

2014-15 Wolf Harvest

This season was an anomaly. Usually trappers are at an advantage or at least equal footing because in November there is usually little or no tracking snow so houndsmen end up chasing bears, coons and bobcats instead of wolves. This year with deep fresh snow due to the late opening the hound guys had an advantage and made the most of it. More power to them. Let's not let jealousy due to an abnormal season lead to infighting. We've got enough enemies without turning on each other. I'm just happy there are fewer wolves.

Looks like the total is up to 135 animals with some hunting open until 3pm still.

Awesome! Hopefully I will have chance this weekend to hunt, may be blizzardly though

I will be the same cluster next year right out of the starting gate. The only way to lengthen the season Is to have a higher quota. And I don't see that happening.

162 so far, 1 hr to go.

And 24 hours to report, looks good

Why? The Board went with a conservative quota this year and said as much.

The fact that the board has ordered the department to have plan done and ready to bring before them before next season shows just how serious they are. Department is going to have hard time justifying keeping wolves at same levels when they refused to hold a season. Its going to be contentious.

If I was a Board member(thankfully I am not), I would be quick to remind the department the last time they showed any true desire to manage wolves responsibly we had about 650 wolves on landscape based on their modeling. We are nearly double now which puts tremendous pressure on going down. That means we need a quota of at least 40% for consecutive years to slightly reduce population. 40% of 1200 puts us at a quota of nearly 500 wolves. I am not convinced that 500 will get us to 40%--especially if we can transfer some of the waste out of the system.

I think we can get that if folks are ready to get to work.

At least there is now a open season.

162 registered as of 3:00 p.m. today.

Moosetrot

Update: 178 registered at 3:07.

Moosetrot

Thanks for the update

Food for thought As much as we may not like two or split seasons this fast harvest was completed not only because there are many wolves on the landscape the snow and use of hounds made a lot of difference in my estimation. Having a quota and November season more designed for trapping and trappers comes at a time when many other dog hunters such as waterfowl and grouse are at lower numbers and wolves are better furred. Having a second season with snow cover can also come when there are fewer other outdoor activities as well and maybe earlier then this one, with a quota as well. There are negatives to every option but one that fits a wider breadth of interested users seeking a limited resource makes sense to me. This season probably will be the quickest and easiest for some time as animals get wiser when thinned and pressured but then that will make the harvest more interesting and rewarding. Yes splitting seasons will pit user groups against each other but then dealing with our differences is part of becoming mature adults.

Bryce

If we have a season next Nov the quota will be filled even sooner since everybody will be ready and have all their coyote/wolf sets already In operation.

The Bear hound hunters and bait sitters have done it that way for years. Why not for Wolves?

Moosetrot

Maybe just maybe they could split the permits between the dog hunters and the trappers. I think they do that In Michigan for the bobcat harvest.

There you go, I dont see a down side.

Yup, split the tags hunting( not just hounds) and trapping, and run the season from? Same as the coyote trapping season?

And if you're over 62 you get all season to fill your tag, boy I don't ask for much!

And if you're over 80 you can use an airplane!

Imo I don't want hounds running around chasing wolves while I'm out deer hunting. Not saying wolves can't be hunted or trapped during the deer firearm season like coyotes, just not with dogs.

A second concern as a trapper ... last thing I want is to catch someone's hunting hound in a coyote or larger wolf foot trap. As trappers we have a large PR concern with the general public as it relates to domestic animals now. Imagine how that goes went hunting dogs get the scent at a trapper' wolf set and steps in a 'wolfer' trap. Education is a great thing and has gone a long way; but getting a dog out of a wolf trap which many need setter isn't something we can expect the general public to accomplish. Much easier to release a dog from a CR as allowed during late season trapping. I don't know if there were any issues this season in that regard, or what the ratio of hound hunters to trappers was; but it's something that I think needs consideration going forward.

Two separate wolf seasons is not the worst idea. Seasons that manage the resource and equalize the opportunities between the 'take' methods based on good regional statistics in addition to not interfering with other sporting opportunities available to all Wisconsin sportspersons.

I forgot about deer hunting, how about separate tags and each gets a month, Dec or Jan alternating each year. Just brainstorming here.

Agree with your thinking.

Chris

Best post on the whole thread. Yes the hound hunters had an advantage this season. They've been losing dogs to wolves for years. Good time for a little pay back! As far as length of season. I don't believe it will ever run very long. We had 3 kill seasons in the past. I drew a tag for the second one. This zone closed in 3 days that year. If I remember correctly it opened in October that year. If you want to trap a wolf. You had better be right on them. You need to be in their core area. Not on the outer edges. Best do your homework. I live in zone 5. Wolves are increasing more every year. Have them on my bear baits regularly. Most at one time was 11. Had a hunter video 3 on a stand he was on for 15 minutes. They need to up the quota tremendously. There population estimates are way low in my opinion. To fill the quota in a few days should tell you that.

I have caught hounds in my traps nearly a dozen times over the past few years with the some of the hunters actually calling to tell me tell me about it so I didn’t think someone stole my catch. Most dog hunters around me are good people and I support them even when a few hounds mess up my sets or day in the deer stand.

That's what they do in PA with trapping season first then hunting season after. If u don't score trapping u can let the dogs loose later!!!

X2

A second concern as a trapper ... last thing I want is to catch someone's hunting hound in a coyote or larger wolf foot trap. As trappers we have a large PR concern with the general public as it relates to domestic animals now. Imagine how that goes went hunting dogs get the scent at a trapper' wolf set and steps in a 'wolfer' trap. Education is a great thing and has gone a long way; but getting a dog out of a wolf trap which many need setter isn't something we can expect the general public to accomplish. Much easier to release a dog from a CR as allowed during late season trapping. I don't know if there were any issues this season in that regard, or what the ratio of hound hunters to trappers was; but it's something that I think needs consideration going forward.

Two separate wolf seasons is not the worst idea. Seasons that manage the resource and equalize the opportunities between the 'take' methods based on good regional statistics in addition to not interfering with other sporting opportunities available to all Wisconsin sportspersons.[/quote

All the ones I caught were released by their owners. They all had tracking collars on! All I had to do was remake set! Dogs don't usually fight a trap and don't injure their foot any.

4:00 p.m.-182

Moosetrot

Autumn hunting and trapping of wolves is problematic. This naturally lessens as winter wears on.
Conflict on use of the land (hounds running through while hunters are on deer stands, catching bird dogs, etc) and the resulting PR need to be thoughtfully addressed.

We need all the support we can get on wolf seasons.

IMO we don't need wolfer sized traps. I believe coyote sized trap hold our wolves fine. And they can be made dog friendly.

Did you listen in to today's NRB meeting? Good stuff. Keith Warnke appeared before the board and they flat out told him that the current management plan calls for a goal of 350 and their plan for fall harvest quota's best adhere to that or the NRB will make adjustments. They also voiced that the kill over the last 3 days does not support the population model the DNR has in place. That Warnke is like a robot, no personality, and never seems to know the answer when the NRB asks a question about what he's in charge of. Anyway, it was nice to see that today. Next board meeting in in two months and NRB told Warnke they want all committees in place and a schedule for meetings nailed down by then.

Love it

Has anyone heard from AJE? If there was one guy that was pumped up about this he was. I hope he drew a permit and got one!!!!!!

Moosetrot

[/quote]
Did you listen in to today's NRB meeting? Good stuff. Keith Warnke appeared before the board and they flat out told him that the current management plan calls for a goal of 350 and their plan for fall harvest quota's best adhere to that or the NRB will make adjustments. They also voiced that the kill over the last 3 days does not support the population model the DNR has in place. That Warnke is like a robot, no personality, and never seems to know the answer when the NRB asks a question about what he's in charge of. Anyway, it was nice to see that today. Next board meeting in in two months and NRB told Warnke they want all committees in place and a schedule for meetings nailed down by then.[/quote]


Was this meeting recorded? I did not have the chance to hear it and I’d love to listen to it.

The north woods are already full of trappers trapping bobcats and coyotes with wolf sized traps. How big of a problem has It been? Let's not make this a bigger deal then It Is.

Was this meeting recorded? I did not have the chance to hear it and I’d love to listen to it.[/quote]

You can listen and watch a recording of the meeting in the NRB area of the DNR website. I just did and they seemed to hold Warnke's feet to the fire about the management goal of 350 and how the DNR is going to achieve it. It is toward the end of the meeting.

Moosetrot

https://dnrmedia.wi.gov/main/Play/6...talog=9da0bb432fd448a69d86756192a62f1721

The wolf discussion starts at the 3 hour and 51 minute mark.

Just saying there will be more dogs in the woods. Statistically the opportunity for an incident increases ... there should be some consideration given, imo. Nothing against hound hunting, love the sport!

To my buddies in Wisconsin, if they are going to put together a new wolf advisory committee, I'll wager it's the agenda of the administration to try and cut quota. Keep a watchful eye on them

Another interesting not to trapper at the 1 hour 59 minute mark the discuss potential new tagging requirements. If this happens I'll have to eat crow and say you cheeseheads are really getting your stuff together!

I watched that too. Common sense requirements in Wisconsin? Whodathunkit?

Moosetrot

Thank you. I scrubbed past it the first time.

Yes, I was happy to hear this also. It’s long over due. In light of the current fur market, it really helps with gas and time invested in a low dollar pelt.

Read where the antis are all up In arms that the wolf quota was exceeded.

Can get a lot done when everyone wants to push together. Even better when folks are not pushing against it.

They didn't buy enough permits Beav. Looks like we need to encourage them to buy a few more next time.

Not much info there except the same groups that set the past quotas will be developing the quotas for this fall. That and it clear to me that this past 3 day wolf hunt quotas did nothing to follow the existing management plan currently in place.

quota needs to be set at least 1000.....1500 better yet

Looks like zone 6 should be split into 2 zones looking at how quickly the quota was filled there. I wonder what counties were the heaviest in zone 6.

All the anti- junk I've seen in the last week, I would be for live trapping and transporting to SE Wisconsin. The Root River and Milwaukee River corridors would be great places to re-establish some packs.

Pike River- I was searching for more granularity in Zone 6 for the same reason and question.

I’m not following. Isn’t the department part of everyone?

I figure without that lawsuit this whole thing would have been a non event.

We are eliminating in-person registration for otter and fisher. See how easy that is when they work with us?

Now compare to wolf. You are right. They would have gotten away with it without the lawsuit. But that because a bunch were too timid to fight. Let's wait until next year cost us a month and probably another couple hundred wolves..

Why not cats? They focus on value and currently the only value is on trophies. Otter are varmints. Their only benefit is they look cool and are fun to watch, thus they leave that impression on people. If they went to $200 it would be another story. The department is expert at the stall. Why?

Hunter nation ROCKS

Forgive me I’m all over the place lol

Here is old math:

state goal(carrying capacity)==350.

Population next year after pups are born and new undocumented migrants =1500

1500-350=1150. Quota should equal 1150

213 as of 8 am

Justin I hope you guys get the tagging stuff finalized. When you do I will make a push to have MN to follow suit.

Nothing aggregates me more then driving to register an animal and the mileage exceeds the value of the fur.

The Board adopted it so I am not sure if there is really anything in the way now. Fox Claw understands the process better than most so he can correct me if I am wrong.

This is a legitimate concern. Not only within the DNR, but the NRB. The board has two members whose terms expire at the end May - Prehn and Anderson. I'm worried the current administration is going to replace them. Probably with some urban softies.

I think that this might be tough as Prehn reapplied and the senate is held by Republicans. So unless Senate Republicans sign off on it, Prehn isn't going any where in May. Based on his comments in recent board meetings and the fact he ran again for Chair with May looming, shows he is committed to seeing this out. It is my understanding that Julie is leaving, but I don't think that changes numbers even if Senate allows a replacement for her.

Good deal, need him

215 at Noon today!

Moosetrot

There's a DNR press briefing today at 3:30pm about the wolf season, on Zoom, I can't attend:

What do you have to register the animal

Need to turn in pelt for tagging and carcass for research.

Is that EST?

You'll need to contact the DNR for a link to the meeting, and Wisconsin is in the central time zone

Thanks

So on another thread where someone asked if an anti can cheat the system should not be possible, correct?

That is good

216 at 3 p.m. Probably it or somebody's in trouble.

Moosetrot

Live on Wisconsin Eye now:

https://wiseye.org/2021/02/25/news-conference-wi-dnr-2021-wolf-harvest/

This don't work. I think I'm too late!!

Very interesting thread. I have not kept up with the history of the WI in specific and the WGL wolf status over the past few years but it sounds like quite a change has happened just now. Here's the chronologically as I think I know it, would love to have it fully expanded so I can tell other people about it.

Sometime during the BO admin, the USFWS takes the WGL wolves off of the E&T list, what year was that again?
All (or was it only WI & MN but not MI?) WGL states had wolf seasons. What years were those and any overall ballpark numbers of wolves taken??
Fed District Court judge (in DC) takes away state regulation of wolf as a game animal during the Trump admin because wolf had to be "restored" in all of its historical range. What year was that, 2017?
In 2020, things changed and fed judge order thrown out and control of the WGL region wolves returned to state control, correct?
Jan 2021, WI court orders state government to hold a wolf season?

How far off do I have things??

How'd it go??

Was at work, wisconsin guy here, love to hear!

We had a season 12-13 13-14 14-15. High harvest was 257 in 2013. 117 in 2012 and 154 in 2014. Added back to list at end of 14-15 season.

2020 Trump administration decided to delist again. Official notice happened at end of October with effectiveness being January 4th I believe.

Folks should watch it. https://youtu.be/MpcsTbiH3RQ

I think department was struggling to answer the same questions over and over again. The folks asking questions had very little understanding of wolf harvest and what it means to harvest 216 wolves. Glad to see Keith finally able to answer a question with out talking in circles and it was better to see the large carnivore specialist answering questions.

Thanks WIMarshRAT!!

Here's one taken with a predator call SW of Glidden, fur don't look to bad.

I watched also. Did you get the feeling that there is going to be a Fall Season? The large carnivore specialist (I felt) eluded to it earlier but then later said next Fall's season as opposed to this Fall's season.

So did the natives take any wolves or is that 216 number all on the 119 quota?

All the news articles that I have read have speculated that they took none. But nothing that I have seen has been concrete.

The Natives have their own rules and regulations.

So the quota was exceeded by 16. 200 was the quota for wolves. That is the fact.

Line Jumper-That's a nice wolf!!!!

Moosetrot

I know, wish it was mine, just see a picture of it and know the area they got it in, 96lbs supposedly.

Ask Beav if it’s worth skinning

That one looks to be worth skinning. But we know that all of them aren't that nice.

How bout this one, Beav?

I certainly don’t think the season held in late February is near ideal. However I’m pleased that several people were able to participate and succeed in this harvest. Congratulations!

Just think if the department would have been on the ball and it happened a month earlier.

Well the upside of having the seasons very early and very late should show us that regardless when it’s held it won’t last long. So perhaps we could more intelligently align the season around peak prime. Make the wolves real trophies.

2021 WI WOLF HUNT



Check this video out. Pretty cool

That was cool, I wish they would have shown a picture of the scope, is that a thermal image scope? I want one whatever it is, but something that works that good they will probably make illegal.

Great video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!

Moosetrot

Nice color

They spin just like the yotes do!!!

I believe that is a thermal scope. It also seemed That the camera man had thermals.

Yep Pulsar xq50. 4.5-22X. 50mm- bout $4000.00

Nice video

What was the total wolf harvest numbers?

216 in about 2 1/2 days

Thanks, that’s a lot of predator relief on the wild game population.

Great Video!

That is a good point. Maybe we have to start with ideal date and then factor in other variables that impact success of other user groups to see if it needs to be adjusted. When we moved the start back in the past to reduce conflict with other user groups, we kind of did that. Are you saying we might have not done enough?

When is peak prime, early December?

Geeze...these people won't recognize human life at conception but want to count female wolves differently because of the possibility of being pregnant.

I'm no hound hunter but I don't think many wolves are torn apart by the pack of dogs. More like being held at bay till the wolf Is shot.

Hound hunting is the low hanging fruit.
Don't film animals being "held at bay" and post it on social media.
It does nothing but add ammunition to anti's and it push the fence sitters over to the anti's side.

Most people have no issue with harvesting wild animals as a concept. Its the details that can change that concept.

Nice video, and congratulations to all who were lucky enough to harvest a wolf. but I stopped posting pictures of my harvested wildlife online because in many cases it will eventually be used against the hunting and trapping community. As long as the Marxist leftists are in control, I’ll be flying under the radar.