AB 502

This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue wolf

harvesting licenses if the wolf is removed from the U.S. and Wisconsin lists of

endangered and threatened species. Under the bill, both state residents and

nonresidents may be issued a license. The license authorizes both the hunting and

trapping of wolves. The bill requires that there be a single annual season for wolf

hunting and trapping from October 15 through the end of February. Under the bill,

DNR may limit the number of licenses issued and the number of wolves to be

harvested. The bill requires DNR to divide the state into up to four wolf harvesting

zones. A wolf harvesting license authorizes the license holder to hunt or trap or both

only in the zone that is specified on the license.

Under the bill, if the number of persons applying for a wolf harvesting license

exceeds the number of licenses that will be issued, DNR shall issue the licenses based

on a cumulative preference system. The system shall establish preference categories

for those applicants who applied for, but who were not issued, a wolf harvesting

license in previous seasons, with higher preference given to those applicants with

more preference points. Under the preference system, a person may elect to apply

for a preference point instead of a license in a given year. Each person receiving a

license will receive one tag. The bill also allows the transfer of licenses and

preference points under certain circumstances.

The bill specifies the types of firearms that may be used for wolf hunting and

also allows the use of bows and arrows and crossbows for wolf hunting. A crossbow

may be used by any person holding a wolf harvesting license. For hunting wolves,

the bill allows the use of dogs for part of the season and allows the baiting of wolves

with bait other than animal byproducts except for liquid scents. Hunting wolves at

night is also authorized for part of the season. Under the bill, the types of traps that

may be used for trapping wolves must include cable restraints. A cable restraint is

a type of trap using a noose made of cables.

The bill requires DNR to administer a program under which payments may be

made to persons for death or injury caused by wolves to livestock, to hunting dogs

other than those being used in the hunting of wolves, and to pets. Under current law,

DNR has promulgated rules establishing such a program. Under the bill, the moneys

collected as fees for wolf harvesting licenses are to be used to make payments under

this program. If, after making these payments, there are any moneys remaining,

DNR may use the moneys for wolf management and control activities conducted by

DNR.