While I brought up the point the other day that the Great Lake State residents have existed in much better harmony with their wolf population than those folks out West, the results back from recent DNR meetings in Wisconsin demonstrate that people have short memories on causing extinctions of fellow species and if laws are not in place to control selfish interests, we could end up a Planet comprised of just us humans and rats.......Thank you Helen Mcginnis at Cougar Rewilding for keeping me focused on this issue

wolves, deer and bears discussed at Wisconsin Statewide Dept. of Ntural Resources hearings

By: Jim Bell

A total of 5,574 people attended the meetings statewide. The results are used to advise the state Natural Resources Board. This year's results will be reviewed at the board's May 25 meeting in Madison. Some of the proposals voted on will eventually become law, others will not. Statewide hearing results are posted by county and state totals on the DNR Web site. Cougars Another proposal that generated some comment would allows landowners, lessees or occupants of private land or any other person with the permission of those people to shoot a cougar caught in the act of killing, wounding or biting a domestic animal with the requirement that the carcass be turned over to the DNR. "Does this mean the DNR is finally admitting we have cougars in Wisconsin?" one man asked. Fell displayed a large map projected on a screen marked by cougar sightings. While not acknowledging the state has a viable cougar population, Morgan said the question reminded him of the on-again off-again regulations for controlling depredating wolves. One man at the meeting said that a resident who lives east of the Rice Lake area ski hill has been seeing cougars around his place for years. The vote was 47 yes, 3 no. The state vote was 4,247 yes, 712 no. Bear hunting A proposal that would change the traditional bear hunting season generated a few comments. The change would start off the season every year with hunters not using dogs in all three bear hunting zones. Currently, the start of the season alternates yearly between hunters who use dogs and hunters who don't, and hunting with dogs is not allowed in Zone C. Under the proposal bear hunting without dogs would start every year the first Wednesday of September and run for 35 days statewide. Bear hunting with dogs would start the second Wednesday of September and continue for 28 days, including Zone C, where hunting with dogs is currently not allowed. Someone asked that considering the growing bear population, why more kill permits aren't issued. Morgan said that more permits are being issued but that more people are applying for them, which is extending the waiting period for a permit. The county vote was 30 yes and 19 no. Statewide it was 1,989 yes, 2,300 no. Wolves Several hearing questions related to the state's burgeoning wolf population, which started with a goal of 350 animals. The explanation preceding the questions read as follows: "As the wolf population continues to increase, there has been a correlating increase in depredations and threatening incidents involving wolves...curtailing livestock and pleasure horse activities and increasing concerns over the welfare of people and pets. It is likely the increased predator population, including wolves, has contributed to the reduction of the deer population in some areas of Northern Wisconsin. One person asked Morgan why the DNR continues with the expense of collaring wolves when it is obvious the population is not threatened. Morgan said monitoring would help prove the wolf population is not endangered. The number of wolves in Wisconsin is now over 800, according to the latest wolf count released by the DNR last week. The estimates were derived from tracking surveys and aerial counts conducted during the winter of 2010-11. The estimates include at least 207 wolf packs, including 175 in northern Wisconsin and 32 in the central part of the state. The Wisconsin wolf population was estimated at 25 animals in 1980. In another recent development, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has again announced plans to remove the wolf in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan from the federal Endangered Species List. Question 1: "Would you support continuing the wolf population goal of 350 or less in the next revision of the Wisconsin Wolf Plan? County: 48 yes, 3 no. Statewide: 3,989 yes, 827 no. Question 2: "Would you support Wisconsin DNR and other partners implement meaningful population controls in the next Wisconsin Wolf Plan to bring the wolf population to goal levels?" County: 45 yes, 5 no. Statewide: 4,254 yes, 581 no. Question 3: "Would you support that the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin DNR move ahead to delist the gray wolf in Wisconsin, as petitioned by the Wisconsin DNR, transferring management of the wolf population in Wisconsin to the state of Wisconsin?" County: 46 yes, 5 no. Statewide: 4,402 yes, 526 no. Question 4: "Would you support that the Wis. DNR not relocate wolves that have caused problems in Wisconsin or other areas into any county in Wisconsin?" County: 43 yes, 7 no. Statewide: 3,885 yes, 951 no.