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WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDED, THIS BILL IS "DEAD." Hopefully, someone will try again next session.

      AB 1204, An Act to amend 29.888 (1m) of the statutes; Relating to: eliminating depredation payments for hunting dogs injured or killed by wolves was introduced in the last general floor period of the legislative session (4/11/24) by Representatives Considine, Conley, Andraca, Billings, Joers and Palmeri and cosponsored by Senator Roys. This bill eliminates the WI Department of Natural Resources's authority under the wolf depredation program to make payments for death or injury caused by wolves to hunting dogs. (PLEASE NOTE that it would NOT affect payments for livestock or pet dogs in any way.) It was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage.

     WE STRONGLY SUPPORT this bill. Wisconsin is the only state that compensates hunters for dogs killed by wolves while training, trailing and tracking bear and other animals. WI pays $2,500 for each hunting dog killed by wolves, and unlimited vet bills for those dogs injured. In 2023, the total depredation payment for 28 hunting dogs killed by wolves was $69,500 and $7817.47 in vet bills for 7 injured hunting dogs. (Click here for WI DRN's Annual Wolf Damage Payment chart.)

     The WI DNR tracks all depredation claims and establishes "caution zones" to alert hunters of where there may be danger to their hounds. We feel that many hunters do not exercise due caution, that many undoubtedly take advantage of the payment system, and that there are much better uses for taxpayer money.

     With just one limited-business floor period left in ths legislative session, this bill will probably go absolutely nowhere, but we did want to make you aware of it for future reference.

Bill Summary (by the Legislative Reference Bureau):

     "Under current law, DNR administers a wolf depredation program under which it makes payments to persons who apply for reimbursement for death or injury caused by wolves to livestock, to hunting dogs other than those being actively used in hunting of wolves, and to pets and for management and control activities conducted by DNR to reduce damage caused by wolves.

     "This bill eliminates the Department of Natural Resources's authority under the wolf depredation program to make payments for death or injury caused by wolves to hunting dogs."

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.

• WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDED, THIS BILL IS "DEAD.,"   but it couldn't hurt to contact both your WI State Representative and Senator and let them know that in the future, you would SUPPORT a bill such as AB 1204, which would eliminate the $2,500 depredation and unlimited vet bill payments for hunting dogs killed by wolves.

• Please see our Talking Points for more resources.

    Find your WI State Representatives      What To Expect At A Public Hearing   

Talking Points:

• WI is the only state that has payments for hunting dogs killed by wolves.

• WI pays $2,500 for each hunting dog killed by wolves -- more than twice that paid for calves -- and unlimited vet bills for those dogs injured. There are often repeat claimants.

• In 2023, the total depredation payment for 28 hunting dogs killed by wolves was $69,500 and $7817.47 in vet bills for 7 injured hunting dogs. (Click here for WI DRN's Annual Wolf Damage Payment chart.)

• "When wolves attack dogs in hunting or training situations on public land, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will create wolf caution areas to warn hunters that a specific pack has attacked a dog or group of dogs. Bear hunters are urged to exercise greater caution if they plan to train hounds or hunt bears with hounds near any caution area, especially if near an actual kill site." These wolf caution areas, along with depredation reports, are readily available thorugh the DNR website. ( Click here to see the Dog Depredations by Wolves in WI website)

• May 18, 2023 Article from National Geographic: Wisconsin pays hunters whose dogs are killed by wolves. There are unintended consequences.

• 2014 article from CapTimes: State pays scofflaws for dogs killed by wolves while hunting other animals

• 2014 article from Wisconsin Watch: State pays scofflaws over hound deaths

• 2013 article from Wisconsin Watch: Is state too open to hunting with dogs?

• 2022 article from Wisconsin Examiner: Conflicts between bear hunters and property owners in Northwoods lead to fears of ‘cowboy war’

• 2018 article from Isthmus: Sen. Risser wants state to stop paying hunters for dogs killed by wolves

    Bill Text      Bill History      Bill Summary   

   TAKE ACTION       Talking Points   

    Find your WI State Representatives   

    What To Expect At A Public Hearing