Wisconsin hunting dogs killed by wolves this year exceeded the previous record of 23 in 2014 by 16. Nearly 40 dogs were killed this year.
Of the 39 reported dogs killed by wolves this year, five of them were in Sawyer County and two were killed in Washburn County. In one of those Washburn attacks, two other dogs were also injured. Two attacks occurred in Burnett County and two more occurred just north of Washburn County in Douglas.
DNR specialist David MacFarland said they don’t have a reason for the increased number of confirmed kills but speculation. He said it could be the growing number of wolf population or increased hunting activity.
Hunters blame the end of the state’s wolf hunt put in place in 2014. Wolves were almost extinct until they were put on the federal endangered species list in 1960. The population came back strong and in 2012 they were taken off the list and three hunting seasons ensued but was stopped again and the numbers have began rising since.
MacFarland said that despite the rapid increase in the wolf population, the number of wolves in the Northland hasn’t changed that much and that’s where most of the dogs were killed.
Last Update: Oct 17, 2016 12:22 pm CDT
