Wisconsin wolf hunters exceed quota in abbreviated hunt

[Mike Van Horn]

If you can get 216 in 60 hour, they may be over populated. Sounds like the DNR estimates are a little off for a total population

 

[CJW]

If you can get 216 in 60 hour, they may be over populated. Sounds like the DNR estimates are a little off for a total population

Our DNR are notoriously bad add math. The corrected bear numbers a few years ago should have given them all red faces.

 

[WAB]

I'm kind of surprised by the reported numbers harvested, I've hunted wolves for a here in BC. And they are bloody hard to hunt, skittish as hell. So taking 200 in a short period of time seems a bit odd to me.

Must have been an incredible concentration and perfect conditions. I have hunted wolves a fair bit in Alaska. Aerial gunning has produced those numbers under the right conditions with many pilot/gunner pairs in the air.

I had a buddy take all 7 out of a pack predator calling in heavy snow, but that was an exceptional feat, particularly since he was shooting a Ruger #3!

 

[Bearbait1]

Was it just hunting or did they trap the wolves?

 

[CJW]

Was it just hunting or did they trap the wolves?

I read that 5% of the wolves were trapped.

 

[Randy F]

Honestly it is a bit surprising and suspicious even for me. Our agricultural areas down south make it easier to see them obviously but even then it's another thing to actually kill them when they know you're after them. I have never called one in or seen one while hunting up here. The three times I've seen one have been along the road. They say that 90% of the successful hunters used dogs so that definitely helps but to run down a wolf in the snow even with dogs is quite a feat, especially up here in the northwoods.

The last times we had a wolf hunt there were a few successful parties whose wolves looked suspiciously like coyotes.

There were 13 taken within a 20 mile circle of my house. I know of no one with a game came out who does have at least one on camera. I have one on camera right behind my house.
With those kinds of numbers I’m not sure what there is to be suspicious about. Do you really thing we don’t know the difference between coyotes and wolves?

 

[Bearbait1]

I expect the high harvest numbers are caused by high numbers of relaxed wolves, alot of access to wolf country and prebaited bait piles. Wolves take readily to large bait piles. hunters can sit in stands over the bait or hang 20 snares around each bait. Small custom butchers are a good source of bait. Hides, bones, ofal, etc, they like it all.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Our DNR are notoriously bad add math. The corrected bear numbers a few years ago should have given them all red faces.

@CJW
10 out of 9 people employed by the DNR can't do maths
Bob

 

[WAB]

There were 13 taken within a 20 mile circle of my house. I know of no one with a game came out who does have at least one on camera. I have one on camera right behind my house.
With those kinds of numbers I’m not sure what there is to be suspicious about. Do you really thing we don’t know the difference between coyotes and wolves?

Not suspicious at all, just saying well done! It is quite a feat to harvest that many in such a short window. It sounds like you need to take a bunch more!

 

[CJW]

There were 13 taken within a 20 mile circle of my house. I know of no one with a game came out who does have at least one on camera. I have one on camera right behind my house.
With those kinds of numbers I’m not sure what there is to be suspicious about. Do you really thing we don’t know the difference between coyotes and wolves?

To answer your question, yes I believe some people don't know or get too excited and it has happened in years past. People shoot elk thinking they're whitetails for crying out loud. I mean there is only hundreds of pounds of difference. I'm sorry if you were offended but there was no ill will or criticism sent your direction. Yes I am happy the season happened and wolves were taken out and yes I believe the vast majority know the difference but imagine some city slicker who hasn't even seen a coyote in years. Heck I know a guy who popped TWO mulies back to back thinking they were elk.

I have wondered about the possibility of anti's buying tags and calling in kills and that's where some of my cynicism comes in I guess. Maybe I shouldn't give them the idea?

The low snow also helped tremendously this year.

BTW I'm sitting on a log right now taking a rest but I followed these for 1.5 miles before they split off... sorry, I guess they're kind of difficult to make out.

This was from thurs. afternoon. Seven were taken from this unit but they're still doing fine.

Again, no ill will or criticism sent in anybody's direction.

 

[Mike Van Horn]

I believe they were able to use dogs, and a lot of the houndsmen there are used to the country from hunting bear, and coyotes. So changing to a wolf in that mixed farm land, hardwood forest would be a very good effective way of hunting them.

 

[Randy F]

To answer your question, yes I believe some people don't know or get too excited and it has happened in years past. People shoot elk thinking they're whitetails for crying out loud. I mean there is only hundreds of pounds of difference. I'm sorry if you were offended but there was no ill will or criticism sent your direction. Yes I am happy the season happened and wolves were taken out and yes I believe the vast majority know the difference but imagine some city slicker who hasn't even seen a coyote in years. Heck I know a guy who popped TWO mulies back to back thinking they were elk.

I have wondered about the possibility of anti's buying tags and calling in kills and that's where some of my cynicism comes in I guess. Maybe I shouldn't give them the idea?

The low snow also helped tremendously this year.

BTW I'm sitting on a log right now taking a rest but I followed these for 1.5 miles before they split off... sorry, I guess they're kind of difficult to make out.

View attachment 392045

This was from thurs. afternoon. Seven were taken from this unit but they're still doing fine.

View attachment 392046

Again, no ill will or criticism sent in anybody's direction.

Lol. Yeah I get that and I wasn’t offended. Exactly why I hate texting with my wife...you never get context and it’s easy to get the wrong idea. I should’ve been clearer. There are always a couple idiots that make us all look the same.
My point was that most at least in this area are dealing with them daily, know their home range , have watched the dens , and kept a pretty close eye on the “locals” because of cattle. Couple that with the fact that until you get to the northern 1/4 of the state, large forested areas aren’t that common. It’s generally farms with a lot of open areas intermingled with smaller blocks of woods. That’s why I the success rate on coyotes is fairly high as they’re run out into the open. I can’t imagine trying to hunt one down in places like Alaska where it’s endless wilderness.

 

[CJW]

Lol. Yeah I get that and I wasn’t offended. Exactly why I hate texting with my wife...you never get context and it’s easy to get the wrong idea. I should’ve been clearer. There are always a couple idiots that make us all look the same.
My point was that most at least in this area are dealing with them daily, know their home range , have watched the dens , and kept a pretty close eye on the “locals” because of cattle. Couple that with the fact that until you get to the northern 1/4 of the state, large forested areas aren’t that common. It’s generally farms with a lot of open areas intermingled with smaller blocks of woods. That’s why I the success rate on coyotes is fairly high as they’re run out into the open. I can’t imagine trying to hunt one down in places like Alaska where it’s endless wilderness.

It's all good.

It seems like everyone in the top half of the state is dealing with them at least somewhat. Even if you just have a pet you should always be vigilante. I'm used to seeing sign away from the house but low and behold one apparently shows up in the yard at night. Now the dog is escorted outside at night. Probably should have been all along but this is the first time I've had proof and really had to think about it.

Up here of course livestock is almost non-existent but people know where they generally roam. We just don't see them that often because of the big timber. It's almost like Alaska wilderness and almost impenetrable at times. I know of some guys that run coyotes up here and the area they run alot is more maple and oak hardwoods than anything which are usually more open. I lived the first 19 years of my life in Illinois and you're right, that open ag land would be a cakewalk compared to up here. I've even heard a couple amusing stories of guys getting run over by the bear and the hounds because there just wasn't any easy way to maneuver and get out of the way when the bear busted. Contrast that with guys in farm country running trucks and dogs for miles through empty fields.

I recently visited with a Chesapeake breeder around Wis Rapids who had two dogs attacked just a hundred yards from the house one morning. Good thing there were two chessies otherwise it might not have been good.

 

[Randy F]

It's all good.

It seems like everyone in the top half of the state is dealing with them at least somewhat. Even if you just have a pet you should always be vigilante. I'm used to seeing sign away from the house but low and behold one apparently shows up in the yard at night. Now the dog is escorted outside at night. Probably should have been all along but this is the first time I've had proof and really had to think about it.

Up here of course livestock is almost non-existent but people know where they generally roam. We just don't see them that often because of the big timber. It's almost like Alaska wilderness and almost impenetrable at times. I know of some guys that run coyotes up here and the area they run alot is more maple and oak hardwoods than anything which are usually more open. I lived the first 19 years of my life in Illinois and you're right, that open ag land would be a cakewalk compared to up here. I've even heard a couple amusing stories of guys getting run over by the bear and the hounds because there just wasn't any easy way to maneuver and get out of the way when the bear busted. Contrast that with guys in farm country running trucks and dogs for miles through empty fields.

I recently visited with a Chesapeake breeder around Wis Rapids who had two dogs attacked just a hundred yards from the house one morning. Good thing there were two chessies otherwise it might not have been good.

I believe it. I’m near Stevens Point

 

[CJW]

I expect the high harvest numbers are caused by high numbers of relaxed wolves

I was telling someone the same thing last week. I bet there were alot of surprised wolves when they saw 6 dogs and snowmobiles or atv's headed for them with serious intent.

 

[spike.t]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/15/wisconsin-brutal-wolf-hunt-conservation-policy/

 

[CJW]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/15/wisconsin-brutal-wolf-hunt-conservation-policy/

I'll print that out so I can wipe my butt with it.

 

[Randy F]

 

[Randy F]

Another one...

Other States Seek to Emulate Wisconsin’s Wolf Massacre

Plans include hunting with dogs, ATVs, bait, snares, and helicopters

www.sierraclub.org