Judge Rules on Suspended Wisconsin Wolf Hunt

by
posted on November 19, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wolf-g492996d7d_1920.jpg
A Jefferson County judge has ruled the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) violated the law when it chose not to hold a wolf hunt in February 2021, in the wake of the animal's removal from the endangered species list. This order means that if the wolf is ever removed from the endangered species list in the middle of a season, a hunt must be held. 

According to Judge Bantmeier, "Requiring Plaintiff to rush back into court seeking another emergency Writ of Mandamus each time a mid-season delisting occurs is not an efficient use of judicial resources and will only produce additional uncertainty in the law and impact Plaintiffs’ statutory and constitutional rights."

“Today’s historic ruling solidifies Wisconsin’s constitutional right to hunt and our statutory wolf hunt requirements. This case will go down as one of the most important legal victories ever achieved for the hunters of Wisconsin,” Luke Hilgemann, CEO and president of Hunter Nation, said in a statement. “We thank our partners at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) for their legal expertise and hard work which helped achieve this victory and look forward to continuing to work with them to protect our hunting traditions in the future.”

Of course the fight over wolf hunting in Wisconsin is still ongoing, the latest development being the suspension of a planned hunt this fall, following a lawsuit from state conservation groups. For more information on the situation, check out the story at the wisconsinexaminer.com.

Latest

A Limit Of Shotgun Rabbits
A Limit Of Shotgun Rabbits

Hunting Small Game: An Overview

Curious how to get started in small game hunting? Red on as Tim Hovey reflects on how small-game hunting shaped his development as a hunter, taught him patience, stalking, shooting and fieldcraft. He describes hunting rabbits, squirrels, hares, and marmots in Idaho, highlighting the challenges unique to both rimfire and shotgun. He also recounts introducing his daughters to hunting, and encourages experienced hunters to revisit their small-game roots.

Whitetail Knowledge: Why So Many Late Fawns?

Here is the information I gleaned from an interview I conducted with a whitetail biologist to answer my whitetail question of the year. That question is: Why are we seeing so many new fawns in August and September?

Delisting of Wolves Addressed by President Trump

On Sept. 4 President Donald J. Trump issued “Supporting America’s Ranchers,” an executive order that addresses a variety of concerns in the domestic meat supply. Section 3, “Helping Ranchers Combat Predation” includes at least one directive of interest to hunters. It addresses the decades-old controversy over wolves and the Endangered Species Act status that too often hamstrings management.

Range Review: Leupold VX-Freedom Straight Wall 3-9x40

The Leupold VX-Freedom Straight Wall 3-9x40—making life easier for hunters since the day it was introduced. Learn more about it here in Phil Massaro's in depth review.

Field Review: Vortex Diamondback Rimfire

Crystal clear optics that function as advertised are critical whether you are trying to bag the buck of a lifetime, or burn a groundhog that is wreaking havoc on your garden. For the latter, enter the Vortex Diamondback Rimfire!

Hardware Review: Winchester Supreme Long Range

Winchester’s new Supreme Long Range ammo, loaded with the company’s new BC Max bullet, was built to drop game at distance. The BC Max bullet is a heavy-for-caliber, extended-boattail projectile with a high BC and a large-diameter, heat-resistant polymer tip to initiate devastating terminal performance at extended ranges. It’s a tack-driving combo.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.