A View Of Wisconsin Wolf Hunt From Baltimore Md.

July 17, 2012

Is Wisconsin crying wolf too many times?

Wolf (Photo credit: Arrr!)

BY DOUG HISSOM · JULY 16, 2012

Wolves in Minnesota and Wisconsin have gone from being protected as an endangered species into the gun sights of hunters in a little less than a year.

Beginning in October, 201 of the 800 wolves can be killed or trapped in the Badger State, the state Department of Natural Resources announced last week. In Minnesota, as of this week it appears they can hunt or trap 400 of their 3,000 wolves a year in a plan moving through the state Capitol.

The federal government took the wolf off the Endangered Species protection for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan in January.

The argument for the hunt in Wisconsin is that the state has more than 800 wolves in its population and they are threatening livestock, dogs and people. Most of the packs run north of Highway 8 way up north but there are some in the central region as far south as Marquette County.

Lawmakers say they have to protect farmers’ animals. And they’re allowing hunters a full arsenal to do it with. Wolves can be hunted with firearms, bows, crossbows and leg traps. Bait, dogs and electronic calls are also legal.

Read more at The Baltimore Post Examiner.

WUPN: A former Wisconsin Reporter takes a look at the Wisconsin Wolf hunt from the east coast. Who is right, the environmentalists or the people who are threatened with lost cattle and pets? What do you think?