Are there too many wolves in the Northwoods? While driving between Land O Lake and Boulder Junction on County B a few weeks ago, Monica and I saw two wolves standing maybe 5 feet off the road and as we approached, they didn’t run but turned and slowly walked back into the woods. Over the last three or four years, I have heard many friends talk about wolf encounters while walking their dogs, when hunting and frequently caught on trial cameras. To me, that means wolves are too used to vehicle/humans and there are more wolves not only in our Northwoods, but in Wisconsin than people think. The biggest thing that bothers me about wolves is, the DNR does not know or will not release the amount of wolves in the state.

In the early 1970s, it was reported that wolves from Minnesota were crossing into Wisconsin and establishing packs. Then in 1975 wolves were added to the endangered species list. That same year, wildlife biologists started to monitor the wolf population and the habitat that could support them. By 1980, the DNR determined there were 25 wolves in 5 packs in the northern part of the state., but i believe there were more than that, because in 1975 a friend that guided bear hunters in Iron County told me, while scouting for bear he had seen over 20 wolves in 4 packs just in the Mercer area. Plus, if wolves started migrating from Minnesota, wouldn’t you think they would form packs in western Wisconsin first? For some reason when it comes to wolves, the DNR has always given low or minimum numbers. Why? it’s possible they don’t want the public to panic over the true number.

In 1991 the DNR believed there were 50 to 60 wolve in Wisconsin and by 1992 it was determined the northern part of the state (6000 square miles) could support up to 500 wolves and in 1999, they came up with a management plan for 350 wolves. Keep in mind, these following numbers are on the low side. By 2004 wolf numbers were said to be around 400 and by 2011 close to 1000 wolves called the Northwoods home. According to the DNR, that’s 500 wolves over what the habitat could support, right? In January of 2012 wolves were delisted and to manage their numbers, a hunting/trapping season was established. Over those next three years 528 wolves were harvested, but 0n the low side that is still 150 wolves over the amount the Northwoods can support. In December of 2014, because of a lawsuit by the Humane Society of the United States (I won’t get into that), wolves were put back on the endangered species list.
Obviously, this stopped hunting in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.

Today, the DNR says there are between 957 to 1573 wolves in Wisconsin and next week I will give you the true number of wolves I believe are in our state. Do wolves belong in the Northwoods? DEFFINALLY YES. I know some will not agree with me on this, but I will explain why I’m glad wolves were delisted and would be happy to see Wisconsin resume a wolf hunting/trapping season and why we need to lower the wolf numbers.