Contact: David MacFarland, DNR large carnivore specialist
715-365-8917
Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin wolf monitoring data for 2016-17 is now available on the Department of Natural Resources’ wolf management webpage.
Monitoring efforts detected an overwinter minimum wolf count of 925-956 and 232 packs in 2016-17 – this represents a 6.8 percent increase from the 2015-16 minimum wolf count (866-897 and 222 packs).
Wolf count efforts are conducted in winter when the population reaches its annual low point. Wolf pups born in spring cause population increases, followed by reductions resulting from pup and adult mortalities.
To view this information (found under the “reports” list) and learn more about wolves in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “wolf.”
Data available include the 2016-17 overwinter minimum wolf count and packs identified during the monitoring period. These data were collected with the assistance of over one hundred volunteer trackers – these volunteers contributed roughly half of the over 14,000 survey miles in 2016-17.
To learn more about taking part in this monitoring program, search keyword “volunteer” and select “wolves and other mammals.” Classes for new volunteers will be held in the fall of 2017.
Wolves remain listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act and management authority is held by the Federal government. Federal listing status restricts state management, including any lethal wolf management tools. Currently, DNR staff use non-lethal abatement in response to wolf conflicts.
