Board member suggests no population goal in new wolf plan
A Wisconsin DNR policy board member is suggesting that the board drop a specific population goal for wolves.[WDIO-TV, file]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A member of the Department of Natural Resources policy board is suggesting that the agency’s new wolf management plan not include a specific population goal.
The DNR’s current wolf management plan dates back to 1999 and sets out a population goal of 350 animals. The DNR’s latest population estimates, compiled over the winter of 2019-20, totaled about 1,030 animals.
Wolf hunt supporters have used the 350-animal goal as justification for trimming the population through hunting. Board member Greg Kazmierzski said during a meeting Wednesday that nobody believes the DNR’s population estimates and suggested that rather than establishing a numeric goal the plan should signal whether the population should shrink or grow.
The DNR anticipates issuing a new management plan by June.