Herbert Lange/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Nearly everything about wolves is controversial. Wisconsin is one of about a dozen states with a gray wolf population. After being hunted to the brink of extinction in most states, the state granted the species legal protections in the 1950s, followed by federal listing in the 1970s. Since then, wolf numbers have not only recovered, but they've seen a relative boom in population. These predators play a big role in their ecosystem by feeding on deer and other prey, but their hunts also cross paths with livestock, causing grievances among ranchers and farmers. A hunting season was briefly opened in the early 2010s, and there is plenty of other proposed legislation surrounding their management. Wolves also claim strong support among advocates for continued protection. Whatever policies are in place, this charismatic species drives public passion and scientific interest.
 
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

A Wolf Named Kristi

Audio: 
Chuck Pils
Some families are creatures of habit, returning to the same vacation spot year after year. Others like to dive into new experiences.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

As Wolves Recover, Calls In Wisconsin To End Endangered Species Listing Grow

Rich Kremer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Shared via
WPR
Nearly 60 years after gray wolves were considered extinct in Wisconsin, the population has rebounded dramatically. But the conservation success story has turned into a nuisance for hunters, farmers and others whose animals are increasingly encountering wolves.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Frequent Changes In Management Policy Escalate Wolf Debate

Scott Gordon
WisContext
For Erik Olson, an assistant professor of natural resources at Northland College in Ashland, the biggest weakness in Wisconsin's policy toward wolves hasn’t been any one particular policy decision.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Are High Wolf Numbers Driving Hunting Dog Attacks?

Danielle Kaeding
Wisconsin Public Radio
A former state wildlife biologist contends that Wisconsin's high wolf numbers may not be the driving factor behind a record 40 hunting dogs killed by wolves this bear season.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

UW Study: DNR Underreported Wolf Poaching

Rich Kremer
Wisconsin Public Radio
A new study suggests the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been underestimating the number of wolves killed illegally for years.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Gray Wolf Population In Wisconsin Maintained Even During Hunting Seasons

Hayley Sperling
The Observatory
In an attempt to educate and advocate for state control of the gray wolf population, Wisconsin state legislators Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, and Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, hosted the Great Lakes Wolf Summit in September 2016.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

The Enduring Use Of Dogs To Guard Farm Animals

Scott Gordon
WisContext
In recent decades, ranchers and federal agencies have spent a lot of time figuring out how to expand and improve the use of dogs to guard livestock.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Bears, Wolves And People In Search Of Balance

Scott Gordon
WisContext
Across wide swaths of Wisconsin, black bears and gray wolves have long played an important and prominent role in the food chain. But human activities can threaten populations of these wild animals, especially when they are considered a threat to agriculture.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Dead Cows Are Changing The Way Wolves Eat

Hayley Sperling
WisContext
It's not an undertaking that most people must think about in everyday life, but dealing with cow carcasses is serious and oftentimes strenuous business.
Series: Wisconsin's Wolves

Howls Offer A Key To Identifying Individual Gray Wolves

Angela Dassow
Carthage College
The traditional way to track wolves involves setting traps, sedating and then radio-collaring individual animals. While effective, this approach is time intensive and expensive, and entails risks for the animals.