A new survey is helping opponents of a wolf hunt in Wisconsin before a vote next week in Wausau.
A poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research and the Humane Society of the United States finds by a margin of 8 to 1, state residents oppose trophy hunting and trapping of wolves. By a 9 to 1 margin they also opposed using dogs to hunt wolves.
Howard Goldman is the Minnesota Director for the Humane Society of the U.S., and is a member of the Wisconsin Wolf Stakeholders Group for three years....
"....the proposed quota of 275 wolves, we think that's far too high, we think it will have a significant impact on the population. Based on these polls it appears pretty clearly that a majority of Wisconsin citizens agree with us...."
Goldman says the 275 wolf quota could seriously hurt the wolf status in Wisconsin. He says there are a number of animals killed illegally or die through other means...
"....almost 50 percent of the entire(state) wolf population will be taken next year if that quota remains in effect...."
Tribes in Wisconsin are allocated a portion of the wolf kills, but last year didn't take any on their lands, seeing the wolf as sacred to them.
The Natural Resources Board will take action on the DNR recommendation at their meeting next Wednesday(June 26) at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau. Public comment is accepted.
