Wildlife conservation group Animal Wellness Action is offering a $10,000 bounty for tips that prosecute poachers while wolves continue to hunt in Wisconsin.
Gary Kramer, US Fish and Wildlife Service
With Wisconsin banning wolf hunting, a wildlife conservation group is offering a $10,000 bounty for tips to prosecute poachers.
Animal Wellness Action says it is “concerned” by people’s online chatter, saying they plan to “take matters into their own hands” after a judge upheld the statutory hunting season for gray wolves. was suspended.
An injunction issued by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frostow rein in wolf hunting while he believes Lawsuit brought by Animal Wellness Action and other wildlife conservation groups,
Animal Wellness Action’s state director Paul Collins said the group is monitoring “endless” online chatter as poachers killed at least 218 wolves — exceeding state and tribal quotas — over three days during a court-ordered hunt. In less time. in February.
One user on Wisconsin Wolf Hunting said, “I have paid for a point, I will pay for the fine, they are no longer in danger so no major fines.” facebook page Said in response to a post about the cancellation of the fall season.
“Okay, I guess I’ll shoot the big ‘coyotes’ right now,” said another.
“Your local DNR doesn’t care if you start your own wolf eradication program…sss!” Posted by a Minnesota resident using a common abbreviation for “shoot, shovel and shut up.”
A 2011 state law requires the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct an annual wolf hunt between November and February, when the wolves are not under federal protection.
The law also allows people to shoot wolves in the act of “killing, injuring or biting a domestic animal” on private property. Such killings should be reported to the DNR and the carcass of the wolf should be turned over.
DNR spokeswoman Sarah Hoy said the agency has received three reports this year that wolves were killed in the act of robbing – all in Price County – but “did not encounter any trend of illegal harvests related to this decline or injunctions”. Is.”
Hoe said the DNR monitors comments on its social media accounts.
“We send any comments that refer to poaching to law enforcement for investigation,” Hoe said. “In addition, if someone mentions that they know of someone who has been a victim, we encourage them to report the information they have through our violation hotline.”
In his October order, Frost said the law creating wolves’ season is constitutional, but the DNR failed to create a permanent rule enforcing it.
Frost said his injunction will remain in effect until the DNR implements updated rules on setting quotas and the number of licenses it can issue and aligns its wolf management plan with new wolf population targets for the state. does not update. It is not clear how long this will take.
DNR announced in October that it would not be issuing licenses for the fall season.
The state is facing a different challenge from six Native American tribes, who accused the DNR of violating treaty rights and endangering an animal they consider sacred, accusing the federal government of preventing hunting. A lawsuit has been filed in the court.
Anyone with knowledge of wolf poaching can submit a report through the DNR Tip Hotline at 1-800-847-9367.
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