Wisconsin Judge Puts Wolf Hunting With Dogs On Hold

In early July, the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioners voted 4 to 0 in favor of increasing the wolf hunting in the state, extending the hunting season and allowing the trapping of wolves for the first time ever. MDFWP has a plan to reduce the wolf population across Montana.

The Wisconsin legislature voted to take the Wolf off the endangered species list this year. Wisconsin has planned wolf hunt that have proven to be controversial, but clearly needed as it is in Montana. Wisconsin has a quota of 200 dead wolves, with an estimated total of 800 or so in the state.

Compared to Wisconsin, Montana has a more limited season, but is otherwise pretty comparable. Dogs hunting wolves, has been looked at as “lacking fair chase” and takes the controversy to the next level. The dog hunting for wolves raised immediate anger from dog organizations, animal welfare groups and the liberal wolf conservationists. These groups went to court with a plan to half that aspect of the hunt. Wisconsin’s plan would be to allow hunters to use one to six dogs to track wolves after the deer rifle season ends in November. Judge Peter Anderson ruled, no.