Wisconsin’s Wolves Need Your Help NOW ~ Comments Due May 15!

Following swiftly on the heels of the heinous February wolf slaughter, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is seeking public input through an online survey to inform an update to their woefully inadequate and outdated wolf management plan.

In addition to updating the management plan by June 2022, they will determine the fall 2021 wolf hunt (as well as possible future hunts) and will also set the quota for their next fall hunt soon. There are several parallel decision-making processes occurring and we’ll update you when there are future opportunities to comment.

For now, we must stop this all-out war against wolves in Wisconsin by telling WDNR why we value wolves alive and explaining that our non-hunting perspectives must be heard.

Submit your comments to WDNR by May 15!

Here’s how you can help:

1.    Complete the survey here. If you have questions, check out these resources from our partners at Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf and Wildlife. The most important thing here is to indicate that you want to see more wolves in Wisconsin! 
2.    Email Randy Johnson, Large Carnivore Specialist, at randy.johnson@wisconsin.gov and explain why you value Wisconsin’s wolves and believe WDNR must do a better job of listening to all citizens. Incorporate the talking points below and personalize your message for greater impact.
3.    Share this action alert and infographic with friends and family and on social media!

Talking points to craft your message (please personalize):

• If you are from or currently live in Wisconsin, state your town.
• Explain that you oppose both a fall 2021 wolf hunt and Act 169, which requires Wisconsin to hold a wolf hunt. Reasons include:
  • Wolves self-regulate and thus do not need to be hunted.
  • Wolves alive and thriving bring value to Wisconsin in many forms, including ecosystem services and tourism dollars.
  • The values and benefits of wolves alive far exceed the recreational interests of a few people who want to hunt them.
  • Wolves cause less than 1% of cattle deaths and any depredation can be properly managed with nonlethal methods that are more effective than lethal and supported by science.
  • Killing wolves at this rate, especially after the February hunt, will only support decisions to relist them with Endangered Species Act protections.
• The decision-making process thus far has not been fair and inclusive. Wildlife belongs to all citizens, not just hunters.
• The quota of wolves assigned to the tribes in the February hunt—wolves that would not have been killed—was effectively stolen by non-tribal hunters and the February hunt violated tribal consultation mandates.
• The majority of Wisconsinites and Americans support wolf recovery at levels where wolves can fulfill their ecological functions. Almost no one supports wasting tax dollars to recover wolves, just to exterminate them again.

Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Wisconsin’s wolves and their ecosystems!

For Wild Nature,

Michelle Lute, PhD
National Carnivore Conservation Manager