Wisconsin Farm Bureau supports state control of gray wolf population

Wisconsin Farm Bureau submitted comments to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service supporting a proposal to remove the gray wolf from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and return population management back to the state Department of Natural Resources.

“Wisconsin farmers struggle when it comes to protecting their livestock from wolf attacks,” WFBF President Jim Holte said. “It is illegal for Wisconsin farmers to protect their livestock in the case of a wolf attack and there is no mechanism in place to control the population.”

Recovery of the gray wolf population in Wisconsin is a success story. The state DNR’s Wolf Management Plan set a recovery goal of 350 animals which, based on the 2017-18 minimum wolf count of 905 to 944, has been far exceeded.

WFBF was joined by Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association and Wisconsin Farmers Union in submitting comments to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

“All rural residents and farm supporters should submit comments in support of this proposal,” Holte added.

The period to submit comments has been extended until July 15. Instructions on how to submit comments are provided at www.regulations.gov, Docket Number: FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0097.