MADISON, WI -- Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R - New Richmond) released the following statement after Governor Evers vetoed Senate Bill 139, to establish a statewide wolf population goal:
“This bill simply requires the WI DNR to have a numeric population goal included in their wolf management plan. If we are not managing to a specific population goal number, the DNR has essentially allowed there to be no trigger to reduce the population, despite the many problems caused by having too many wolves on our landscape, such as a depletion of our deer population and loss of cattle to farmers.”
Senate Bill 139 establishes a statewide wolf population goal if the wolf is not listed on the federal endangered list and is not listed on the state endangered list.
“This bill does not dictate a specific number for the wolf population goal, nor does it alter the DNR’s authority concerning the existing framework of the wolf harvest season. It merely requires a specific population goal number to be in the state’s wolf management plan.”
Following a federal court ruling on Feb. 10, 2022, gray wolves are listed as an endangered species in the lower 48 states (excluding the northern Rocky Mountains region). As such, wolves are currently federally protected, therefore harvest and lethal depredation control are prohibited until such time that they are delisted.
“Although this is currently a non-issue due to the gray wolf being on the endangered species list, this bill would aid Wisconsin to be fully prepared to take over its own wolf management once they are removed from that federal list. In our area, the vast number of wolves on the landscape are creating a lot of issues that I repeatedly hear about from constituents and people around the state. It is unfortunate that Governor Evers is playing partisan politics and again not following the science on such a simple bill. ”
Last Update: Apr 01, 2024 7:32 am CDT
