Wolves return to the endangered list
Gray wolves have once again been added to the endangered species list for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
On Friday, Dec. 19, a federal judge overturned the 2012 ruling, which allowed hunting and trapping of gray wolves for a short hunting season. The decision is a result of a lawsuit be the Humane Society of the United States, according to an article by the MKE Journal Sentinel.
The 2014 wolf hunting season ended on Dec. 5 in Wisconsin with an official tally of 154 wolves, which was four above the statewide quota for the season, according to the Sentinel.
As a result of the decision, Wisconsin will not be allowed to open a hunting season for wolves, and the law “allowing landowners or occupants of the land to shoot wolves that are in the act of depredating domestic animals on private property is no longer in force,” according to a statement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “Landowners may not kill wolves in the act of attacking domestic animals.”
The statement also said that the DNR and legal staff are still trying to determine just exactly how the decision will affect their wolf management program. Any who have concerns or are experiencing problems with wolves are urged to contact USDA Wildlife Services at 800-228-1368.
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