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 In the wake
of the disastrous 2021 Wisconsin Wolf Hunt, when the finally tally of wolves
killed was nearly 100 over the set quota, the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, in their new Wolf Management Plan, is refusing to set a numerical
population goal. Instead, they are recommending the more sensible alternative
of the agency working with advisory committees to determine whether local packs
should be maintained, grown or reduced. Needless to say, the wolf hunters are
not happy with this arrangement.
SB
139, relating to: establishing a statewide wolf population goal was introduced
on March 23, 2023 by Senators Stafsholt, Cowles, Felzkowski, Marklein, Quinn,
Stroebel, Testin and Tomczyk and cosponsored by Representatives Green,
Armstrong, Behnke, Bodden, Brooks, Callahan, Dallman, Edming, Gustafson,
Magnafici, Mursau, Penterman, Pronschinske, Sapik, Schutt, Summerfield, Tittl,
Swearingen, Schraa and Rozar. It was assigned to the
Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage.
A public hearing will be held on September 21, 2023.
 Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting
Heritage
On
March 31, 2023, a companion bill, AB 137, was introduced by Representatives
Green, Armstrong, Behnke, Bodden, Brooks, Callahan, Dallman, Edming, Gustafson,
Magnafici, Mursau, Penterman, Pronschinske, Sapik, Schutt, Summerfield,
Swearingen, Tittl, Schraa and Rozar; and cosponsored by Senators Stafsholt,
Cowles, Felzkowski, Marklein, Quinn, Stroebel, Testin and Tomczyk. It was
referred to the
Committee on Sporting Heritage.
Committee on Sporting Heritage
This
bill simply states: "If the wolf is not listed on the federal endangered
list and is not listed on the state endangered list, the department shall allow
the hunting and trapping of wolves and, shall regulate such hunting and
trapping as provided in this section, and shall implement a wolf management
plan that establishes a statewide wolf population
goal." [Emphasis ours]
WE STRONGLY OPPOSE this bill that would
essentially make any number of wolves over that "population goal,"
which the DNR has chosen NOT to set in the new Wolf Management Plan for good
reason, fair game for hunters when -- not if -- the wolf is once again delisted
from the federal Endangered Species list. (Please click here for an Interesting article on "Wolf
killing and the consequences of disturbing pack dynamics.")
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WHAT YOU CAN DO:
 General guidelines for contacting
your representatives: Try to keep your message brief, and be sure to give your
name, complete mailing address, and phone number. Let your representative know
that you are a constituent. Please, ALWAYS be polite and respectful.
Name-calling, and rude or abusive letters or emails will hurt, rather than
help, our cause.
Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage
will hold a public hearing on September 21, 2023 at 1 pm at 411 South in the WI
State Capitol building. PLEASE attend if you can. There are sign-in sheets
available for those who wish to go on-record with their opinions. People may
request to speak, may register for or against the bill without speaking, or may
provide information without taking a position on the bill. If you are not
comfortable speaking or reading a prepared statement, PLEASE register as
OPPOSED to this bill!
If you cannot attend the
hearing, PLEASE consider emailing a statement of opposition to the Committee
chair and asking that it be printed and distributed to the committee. You may
also consider emailing the statement to each committee member, particularly if
you are a constituent. You can find all of the contact information here:
Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage
If/when the bills are passed on
to the full legislature for a vote, we are going to ask you to contact both
your state representative and your state senator and ask that they VOTE NO on
SB 139/AB 137.
Please see our Talking
Points for more resources.
Find your WI State
Representatives What To Expect At A Public Hearing
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