Public Testimony on Wolves and Elk
Wisconsin's Green Fire, March 5, 2025
Members of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, March 4, 2025, photo by Paul Heinen
On March 4, 2025, WGF testified before the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage.
Adrian Wydeven (left) and Peter David (right) at the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage hearing March 4, 2025, photo by Paul Heinen
Our experts testified on two separate issues relating to wolf management and elk management in Wisconsin. We submitted written comments, available to read below, as well as in-person verbal testimony.
Two of our wildlife experts, Adrian Wydeven and Peter David, testified in-person, joined by our WGF Policy Director, Paul Heinen. Our written comments on elk management came from Tom Hauge, Chair of our Wildlife Work Group. All three of these experts are also part of our WGF Science Council.
WGF Testimony on the Wolf Management Rule: CR-23-047
Read or download a PDF copy of our March 4, 2025 comments to the Senate Committee:
We testified in support of the proposed rule on wolf management. The process for this rule began in 2023. Modifications were requested in 2024, and the rule was continued from the 2023 session in early 2025. Below are a few key excerpts from our testimony:
“WGF commends the DNR for developing a sound science-based, socially responsible, and culturally sensitive conservation plan for gray wolves in Wisconsin. We support the DNR’s focus on ecological benefits of wolves, balancing potential conflicts and cultural concerns while using an adaptive management approach.”
“WGF supports the Department changing from minimum counting methods to using Occupancy Modeling for estimating the state wolf population. Occupancy modeling is a state of the art method for estimating wildlife abundance,”
“WGF understands that current statutes require the DNR to hold a wolf hunting and trapping season, and the proposed wolf management rules provide a reasonable approach for implementing well-regulated wolf harvests in the state.”
A wildlife camera image at a wolf den site in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, spring 2024
WGF Testimony on the Elk Management Rule: CR-24-045
Read or download a PDF copy of our March 4, 2025 comments to the Senate Committee:
We testified in support of the proposed rule on elk management. While elk management is less controversial than wolf management, it is important for science-based wildlife conservation and management in our state. Below are a few key excerpts from our testimony:
“We support renaming existing elk ranges to the Northern and Central Elk Management Zones.
We support the proposed creation of elk hunting units within or adjacent to each management zone to allow for structured and targeted elk harvest statewide.”
“We support using an adaptive management framework to manage elk populations statewide. This approach identifies metrics to gauge progress towards the population objectives. Metrics may include elk population trends, distribution of elk, agricultural damage levels and economic impacts to agricultural crops, nuisance and conflict trends, tribal engagement, hunter harvest success and satisfaction, economic benefits, and scientific developments.”
Elk in Wisconsin, photo via WDNR
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