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Hunters must avoid shooting wolves

JANESVILLE — Wolves are moving into southern Wisconsin, evidence that the animal is making a comeback.

But hunters down here aren’t used to seeing the endangered species and might mistake them for coyotes.

Eleven wolves were illegally killed in Wisconsin in 2007, often because hunters thought they were coyotes.

Wardens are warning hunters in southern Wisconsin to make sure they know the difference between the animals when they climb in their deer stands Saturday.

Accidentally slaying a wolf could earn hunters a $100,000 fine.

“Wolves are still a federally protected species,” said Mike Foy, a state Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist in Rock County.

“Be certain of your target and what’s beyond it,” he said. “Know what kind of animal it is. If you’re not sure, you’re putting yourself at risk.”

Wolves were put on the endangered species list at a time when the goal population was 350, Foy said. The population is currently 600 and growing.

The animals were taken off the endangered species in March 2007, but animal welfare groups challenged the ruling, said Adrian Wydeven, a DNR mammal ecologist.

Wolves were listed endangered a second time in September pending the outcome of the challenge, he said.

In years past, wolves mostly populated the northern third of the state, but they moved south in search of more land when they grew in population, Wydeven said. They often go to agricultural areas in southern Wisconsin and Iowa.

Eleven counties in south central Wisconsin have confirmed wolf sightings, according to the DNR.

“They can travel some pretty long distances,” Wydeven said. “They’re basically looking for a new home or a new mate.”

Shooting coyotes in the northern third of the state is illegal during deer season because they’re confused with wolves, Foy said. But it’s open season on coyotes in southern Wisconsin.

“The reason the rule wasn’t statewide was because there weren’t wolves in the southern two-thirds,” he said.

But the wolves are here now, so hunters should be careful.

“We just don’t want someone to have to deal with a federal citation for killing a federally protected species,” Foy said.

Wolves vs. coyotes

Wolves and coyotes have these physical differences:

Weight:

Wolves: More than 50 pounds

Coyotes: Less than 45 pounds

Height:

Wolves: 28 to 34 inches at shoulder

Coyotes: 20 to 24 inches at shoulder

Length:

Wolves: 59 to 66 inches

Coyotes: 46 to 52 inches

Appearance:

Wolves: Massive, extremely long legged

Coyotes: Medium sized, dog-like

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Deer registration stations are set in the state Department of Natural Resources south central region.

Most of the region is within the chronic wasting disease management zone.

Deer must be registered no later than 5 p.m. on the day after it was harvested.

Hunters are advised to call ahead before bringing their deer in for registration.

These are the registration stations in area counties.

Rock County

Beloit: Jan’s K Market, S11744 County K, (608) 365-9717.

Clinton: Chad’s Taxidermy, 11102 S. Larson Road, (608) 921-5666.

Evansville: Evansville Gas & Go, 350 N. Union St., (608) 882-9943.

Footville: Footville Meat Market, 280 N. Gilbert St., (608) 873-6323.

Janesville: Lunatic Red’s Bar, 120 W. Delavan Drive, (608) 314-9149.

Milton: Milton Bait & Tackle, 24 S. Clear Lake Ave., (608) 868-4421.

Walworth County

Delavan: Bob Black’s Meat Processing, 130 N. Harrison St., (262) 728-3985.

East Troy: East Troy BP, 1880 Main St., County ES, (262) 642-5744.

Pell Lake: John & Mary’s House, 1126 N. Lakeshore Drive, (262) 279-0368.

Whitewater: Marine Pros II, N8066 County P, (262) 473-5960.

Jefferson County

Cambridge: Lake Ripley Dead End Bar, N4098 Marina Lane, (608) 423-2117.

Fort Atkinson: What’s The Point Bar, W6950 Highway 12, (920) 563-9992.

Hubbleton: Boondocks, W7071 Main St., (920) 478-2936.

Ixonia: Cruising 16 BP, W1168 Highway 16, (920) 261-9473.

Jefferson: River’s Edge Farm Market, 843 S. Whitewater Ave., (920) 674-6466.

Johnson Creek: Pernat-Haase Meats, 312 Milwaukee Ave., (920) 699-6990.

Sullivan: Ley’s Bark River Lanes, W1914 County F, (262) 593-2422.

Green County

Albany: County E Locker, N6833 County E, (608) 862-1320.

Brodhead: Cardinal Lanes, 2107 First Center Ave., (608) 897-2162.

Brooklyn: Kounty Korners, 108 Hotel St., (608) 455-9221.

Juda: Rackow Family Sausage, N1943 Schindler Road, (608) 325-4547.

Monroe: Martin’s Sport Shop, 1016 17th Ave., (608) 325-3370.

Monticello: Donna’s Place, 135 N. Main St., (608) 938-4004.

New Glarus: Hoesly’s Meats, 219 Industrial Drive, (608) 527-2513.

New Glarus: Ott Haus Pub & Grill, 406 Second St., (608) 527-2218.