Blocked wolf hunt draws mixed reaction

Opponents of wolf hunting say they are worried that people will kill more wolves illegally after a federal judge decided to put the animals back on the endangered species list. Supporters believe a wolf hunt will eventually return. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell’s order Friday affects Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The ruling bans further wolf hunting and trapping in those states. The federal government put states in charge of managing gray wolves two years ago. Dennis McMillan, a Kewaunee County resident and international hunting guide, supports wolf hunting. “The wolf is a beautiful animal. But they have to be managed,” said McMillan. “And the biologists are the ones that should manage them. Not the judges, not the attorneys, not the people that want to feel good because they protected a baby wolf.” Rod Coronado, the founder of the group Wolf Patrol, is pleased with the judge’s ruling. “We feel that Wisconsin has not demonstrated responsible wolf management, especially by allowing the hound hunting of wolves, snaring, trapping,” said Coronado. “These are both indiscriminate techniques of management that we don’t support.” Judge Howell, who is based in Washington D.C., said Friday that removing the wolves from the endangered species list was “arbitrary and capricious.” Unless the decision is overturned, states are blocked from scheduling more wolf hunting and trapping seasons. Wisconsin held its third consecutive season statewide this fall. According to facts from the state DNR, 154 wolves were killed. Hunters took 257 wolves in 2013 and 116 the year before...more