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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said it will propose a hunting season quota of 200 wolves when the the group's policy board meets Monday to discuss launching a wolf hunt immediately.

The agency said the department staff arrived at the number after considering several factors, including the most recent population estimate, the public response to earlier harvests, the current management plan, scientific literature and population model projections, the Journal Sentinel reported.

Wisconsin judge orders start to wolf hunt this month

Wisconsin law mandates the DNR run a wolf season from November through the end of February, but Republican lawmakers demanded the impromptu start because they are worried that President Joe Biden will restore protections for the animals.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in January removed wolves in the lower 48 states from the federal endangered species list, returning management to the states. The DNR board refused to order an immediate hunt, noting that Wisconsin’s Chippewa tribes haven’t been consulted as per treaty requirements.

ordered the department to start the hunt now

. That means the DNR will have to rush to establish quotas and issue permits before the season window closes at the end of February.

The Associated Press

Author

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said it will propose a hunting season quota of 200 wolves when the the group's policy board meets Monday to discuss launching a wolf hunt immediately.


A gray wolf is shown at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minn.

Wisconsin DNR to recommend hunting season quota of 200 wolves

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