Update: Hunters and trappers blow past Wisconsin's wolf kill target

Updated: 3:25 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2021 

MADISON (AP/CBS 58) — Hunters and trappers have blown past Wisconsin's wolf kill target, forcing an early end to the hunting season and angering animal rights activists and conservationists.

The Department of Natural Resources opened a season Monday that was supposed to run through Sunday, with a kill target of 119 animals.

It became clear Tuesday that hunters and trappers were on pace to exceed the limit, so the agency moved up the season's end to 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The department reported at 3 p.m. Wednesday that hunters and trappers had already 178 animals. They also exceeded state targets during the 2012, 2013 and 2014 wolf seasons.


Updated: 12:34 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2021

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin wolf hunt is nearing an end. As of 12 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, a total of 162 wolves were harvested according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The hunt got underway Monday, Feb. 23 across six management zones. The kill limit is 200 wolves.

Harvest zones 1, 3 and 5 remain. They will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24.

The hunt was slated to run through Sunday, but hunters are reaching the quota much faster than expected.


Updated: 3:52 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2021

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says a total of 82 wolves have been harvested on the first day-and-a-half of the hunt. 

According to the DNR, as of 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23, harvesting zones 2 and 6 will remain open until 10 a.m. Wednesday and 1, 3 and 4 will remain open until 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24.


Published: 8:55 a.m. on Feb. 23, 2021

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Fifty-two wolves were killed on the first day of the wolf hunting season in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin

Department of Natural Resources.

Tuesday, Feb. 23, the DNR announced wolf harvesting zones 2, 5 and 6 will close at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24. 

According to wolf harvesting zones, only seven wolves are left that can be harvested in Southern Wisconsin, Zone 6.

The hunt got underway Monday, Feb. 23 across six management zones and is slated to run through Sunday. 

With this closure, a total of three wolf harvest zones have closed this season. The DNR advises wolf hunters and trappers they can currently continue to pursue wolves in Zones 1,3,4.

The kill limit is 200 animals, which means some zones could close early as hunters near the limit. 

Wisconsin law requires wildlife officials hold a wolf hunt between November and February. 

The Department of Natural Resources had planned to open the season in November, but Kansas-based hunting advocacy group Hunter Nation won a court order forcing the DNR to open the season this month.

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