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Wolf Hunt Ends In Northwoods
Posted 11/16/2012
DNR wildlife biologist Jeremy Holtz in Rhinelander says while coyote hunting, with a permit, is legal, no wolves can legally be taken in the closed zones, which cover most of this region....
"....this time of the year we get people confusing coyotes with wolves because (coyotes) have their winter pelt on...(sometimes) it's difficult to get perspective on size and distance depending on the situation, but it's possible some(out of season wolves) could get shot, but the reports I've gotten from the wardens is that the hunters have been doing a very good job in harvesting wolves, and when they register them, it's the target species...."
The closed zone is along the Upper Michigan border from Hurley to Marinette, and as far south as Medford, Merrill, and Antigo. Four other zones remain open for wolf hunting. The season is supposed to run until February 28th – but hunters have already shot almost two-thirds of the statewide quota of 116 animals. A court hearing is set for December 20th in Dane County, when animal rights groups will ask for a permanent ban on the use of hunting dogs – while the state seeks to drop the case altogether. But the whole thing could be a moot point, because the state’s first wolf season could be finished by the time the judge pounds the gavel.
