Schmalts, I'm 100% in favor of hunting them, but we have to live with the Endangered Species Act which sets minimum levels of wolf populations to keep them off the Endangered list. I'd like to see them controlled at that minimum level. There doesn't seem to be any way to get the ESA changed.
And one thing I will say in favor of wolves is that they do a better job of weeding out the old cow elk than hunters do. I suppose it's the same way with deer. So when the older animals are killed the younger more productive females are left. That's a good thing.
We also have seen information that in spite of wolves in Wisconsin the deer herd is at record high numbers. Why is that? Is it because deer are growing in population where the wolves don't live? Just curious.
""The deer herd is at a record-high level, and it needs to be reduced for a number of reasons, including CWD," said Jeff Schinkten, president of Whitetails Unlimited, a national organization based in Sturgeon Bay."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug02/66740.asp
"The problem is that the herd is way above these goals in many parts of the state, and this year we're seeing the cumulative effects of several years of skyrocketing whitetail reproduction.
Why so many deer?
Recent mild winters have caused little or no winter mortality in northern Wisconsin. In the south, where winter rarely affects deer survival, farms, rural houses, woodlots and habitat fragmentation have been wonderful for deer, though not for some other species. "We have excellent habitat for a very prolific animal; therefore, the population thrives," Craven says."
http://www.cals.wisc.edu/media/news/09_00/killdeer1.html
Here's more info:
http://www.pcgazette.com/outdoors/2000/nov00/waw11-17.htm
Sounds like even with wolves in Wis. you can't keep deer numbers at good management levels!
