10-30-13 wolf hunt update

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has closed Wolf Harvest Zone 1 and Zone 5 to hunting and trapping of gray wolves effective Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7p.m. At that time, the zone is closed to any further hunting and trapping of wolves for the 2013-2014 wolf harvest season. With these closures, a total of three wolf harvest zones have closed this season. Wolf hunters and trappers are advised that they can currently continue to pursue wolves in Zones 3, 4, and 6.  The state wolf harvest quota for Zone 1 was set at 76 wolves and the closure process was initiated when 72 wolves were reported as harvested. The state wolf harvest quota for Zone 5 was set at 34 wolves and the closure process was initiated when 33 wolves were reported as harvested.  “Harvest trends in Zone 1 have been steady with an increased harvest rate over the past few days and Zone 5 has been steady with two additional wolves registered late in the day Tuesday, prompting closure ,” said David MacFarland, DNR large carnivore specialist. “We will be considering harvest trends as we approach quotas in other zones as well.”  When additional zones are closed, the DNR will announce such closures by news releases, notification at dnr.wi.gov, and on the wolf call-in number, 1-855-299-9653. It is the hunter’s and trapper’s responsibility to check for and know about zone closures. The department encourages hunters and trappers to check the website or the call-in number daily.   “Our ultimate goal is to harvest 251 wolves, distributed across the landscape,” said MacFarland. “The harvest zones are a tool by which we attempt to direct the harvest to achieve desired outcomes. The quotas concentrate hunting pressure more in areas with higher potential for conflicts, allowing for higher population densities in core habitat where potential for conflict is lower. This is our second season, and we continue to learn information about harvest success that will be valuable in future management decisions.”  For more information, please visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “wolf.”