New Numbers Confirm a Growing Wolf Population in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/20/2012
State natural resources officials say Wisconsin's gray wolf population was estimated to be 815-880 this past winter. That's about four-percent more than the previous year. The DNR says a total of 41-42 wolves were counted on Native American reservations and thus the total count of wolves outside of
reservations was 774-838 wolves.
The annual winter wolf count relies on aerial tracking of radio-collared wolves, and snow track surveys by DNR and volunteer trackers. The agency has conducted these counts since the winter of 1979-1980 when there were 25 wolves in the state.
Meanwhile, a total of 213 wolf packs were detected in Wisconsin during the winter count consisting of at least two adult wolves each. Biologists found 51 packs distributed across central Wisconsin and 162 packs in northern Wisconsin. The largest pack in the state was Fort McCoy Pack in Monroe County with
10 wolves. At least 63 packs had five or more wolves in them.
Wisconsin's wolf population estimate is based on data gathered by agency biologists and technicians, as well as more than 150 volunteers.
