MARCH NEWSLETTER

Friends, while we are all celebrating the good news that wolves in most of the country have regained needed protections under the Endangered Species Act and our victory in court against Wisconsin’s wolf hunt, the enemy line is always close…

Like many of you, I not only care about wolves, I care about all wildlife, native plants and public lands. Wisconsin’s breaking the public trust for many of our iconic species, be it deer or dove, monarch or milkweed and most often ignoring the vast majority of citizens of Wisconsin. Special interest groups such as Hunter Nation are always looking at ways to further exploit wildlife by any way they can, to hell with science and democracy. A year ago I sat at this desk, pouring out tears, that our state allowed the hijacking of our Natural Resources Board, agency and legislation, while people used snowmobiles and dogs to destroy wolf families for bloodsport.

They aren’t going anywhere, and we hope you won’t either.

In fact, just this morning on March 4th, we learned that federal legislation by Senator Baldwin and Senator Johnson to force delisting was introduced. And also, US Representative Tom Tiffany, Representative Fitzgerald and their “cruelty caucus demanded a hearing on his terrible managing predators act, which basically calls for an all out war on Wisconsin Wolves and a dismissal of the federal relisting of our endangered wolves.

We need to redouble our efforts to persuade the the wildlife agencies and our legislators to do the right thing and protect wolves permanently. It seemed impossible that we could win a year ago, but here we are. We have shown that we are a real driving force who believe in the need for wildlife stewardship to be reflective of democratic values and public interest, best available science and the public trust.

The comment period for the new Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan is on the horizon, maybe as soon as May, so we need to make sure that the population goal is not outdated and all LEGAL public interests are represented, not just hunting and trapping interests. Get your amazing writing skills out there and let’s get a jump on them and put that ridiculous 350 number to bed!

For wolves and wildlife, we thank you. We cannot do this without your support, so please consider a sustaining gift to help us go on the offensive for our wild friends and spaces. Donate here.

And always remember, endless pressure applied endlessly.

Sincerely,

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Wisconsin Policymakers have the Power to Help End Killing Contests and Remove Cruel Hunting Laws to both Wildlife and Dogs

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Wisconsin Conservation Spring Election and Hearing

Last week, our Fireside Chat featured a 30 minute tutorial on how to write a resolution for the WCC in your county which can be submitted online, but you only have until March 11th to do so! We are encouraging everyone to submit a resolution asking that all DNR, Conservation Congress, CDAC and Natural Resources Board meetings always have the option to participate or attend remotely in our “new normal” world. You can read our sample resolution that you can submit via the WCC DNR page on our Advocacy Tools page for this purpose. Resolutions must be submitted online!

Visit our Advocacy Tools Page for sample WCC Resolution

Fireside Chat Recording

– JOIN US BY THE FIRESIDE –

As a reminder, our next Fireside Chat is tonight ! March 10th at 6:00 pm CST where we will have a special guest on to tell us all about wolf tracking and the previous wolf tracking program in Wisconsin. We will also give final call for WCC resolution questions as well.

Zoom Meeting Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96624716122?pwd=U25OZ0wvQksrZU4reE5PK1J2NTQ0QT09

Meeting ID: 966 2471 6122

Passcode: 854398

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,96624716122#,,,,*854398# US (New York)

+13017158592,,96624716122#,,,,*854398# US (Washington DC)

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A Second Win for Wisconsin’s Wolves!

Ruling in a lawsuit brought by Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, (Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife) along with several other wildlife advocacy organizations and tribes, on February 10th a judge ordered federal protections be restored for gray wolves in most of the US, including Wisconsin. This follows our victory last fall when we won to stop the Fall 2021 wolf hunt in Wisconsin.

Judge Jeffrey White of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West without protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The decision reverses the wolf delisting in the last months of the Trump administration and effectively blocks state-run wolf hunting and trapping seasons. We anticipate this will be fought hard again by those who wish to harm wolves, so we all must keep up the pressure and stay engaged.

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Conflicts between bear hunters and property owners in Northwoods lead to fears of ‘cowboy war’

In the remote counties of Northern Wisconsin, where the closest law enforcement officer is often at least 30 minutes away, a conflict between property owners and bear hunters running hounds through the woods is reaching a boiling point…

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– Volunteer of the Month –

We are only as good as our pack! We would like to give a special shoutout to our volunteer Lois Lehman, a retired teacher, climate change marcher and pollinator protector.

She has never given up on trying to change policy about the wanton killing of coyotes, attends every WCC meeting and writes resolutions each year. Its is because of her that killing contests made it on the 2022 spring hearing questionnaire.

Her dedication truly inspires us! Help us protect wildlife by volunteering today. Click below and howl on~