Wolf depredations of livestock increased in 2024 in Wisconsin
By: Paul A. Smith
Confirmed or probable gray wolf depredations on livestock in Wisconsin increased for the third consecutive year in 2024, according to data from the Department of Natural Resources.
The agency publishes an annual list of predator-related incidents investigated by DNR personnel or U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services (APHIS) agents.
The results are categorized as: confirmed or probable wolf depredations; verified wolf harassments or threats; unconfirmed depredations or complaints; confirmed non-wolf depredations or complaints (typically caused by coyotes or domestic dogs).
In 2024, the DNR recorded 84 cases of confirmed or probable wolf depredations, up from 69 in 2023 and 49 in 2022.
Eighty-seven animals, including domestic livestock such as beef calves and hunting dogs such as bear hounds, were killed by wolves in the incidents recorded last year, according to the report. Twenty-seven others were injured.
The number of verified wolf harassments or threats (18) and unconfirmed depredations or complaints (33) recorded last year were also highest since 2021.
The increases are not a surprise to wildlife biologists and agricultural agents since lethal controls have been prohibited on wolves since the species was returned to protections of the Endangered Species Act in Feb. 2022.
Non-lethal predator abatement measures such as fladry, noise and light lose their effectiveness over time, said Dave Ruid, APHIS supervisory wildlife biologist.
The number of confirmed or probable wolf depredations in 2024 was the highest since 86 such cases were recorded in 2020.
Although only a small fraction of Wisconsin farms suffer conflicts with wolves, it's a significant, added burden on those that do, according to APHIS agent Eric Fromm.
And the financial compensation program covers only some of the losses. Farmers are not compensated, for example, for lost weight on livestock caused by fleeing predators or calves that get trampled by cows as they are fending off attacks, said livestock producer Jim Soyring of Maple.
And while predator-proof fencing has proven effective at preventing wolf depredations when used, there isn't enough money to put such an enclosure on every farm in wolf range nor is every property suited for such a barrier.
In 2023 the wolf-caused livestock losses occurred at about 20 Wisconsin farms. The number of locations was not detailed in the 2024 report.
The wolf was removed from ESA protections from late 2020 to early 2022, a period when Wisconsin held one wolf hunting and trapping season and APHIS agents trapped and killed wolves around depredation sites, most in northern Wisconsin.
Hunters and trappers killed 218 wolves in the Feb. 2021 season and APHIS agents removed 75 wolves during the delisting period.
The wolf population declined 19% from 2020 to 2022 according to state estimates but the number of confirmed or probable wolf depredations fell 43% over the same time due to targeted removal of wolves, according to APHIS.
The wolf population has since increased and was estimated at 1,007 wolves in late winter 2023. The 2023-24 Wisconsin wolf population estimate has yet to be released by the DNR.
A federal district judge restored ESA protections for wolves in Feb. 2022.
The Natural Resources Board approved an updated Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan in October 2023. However the Republican-controlled Legislature has not approved administrative rules designed to improve DNR control over wolf hunting and trapping.
The Feb. 2021 wolf hunting and trapping season exceeded the state-licensed wolf kill goal by 83%. Multiple factors contributed to the higher wolf take, but two were rules that allowed hunters and trappers to pursue wolves statewide and allowed hunters to delay registering their wolves as late as 5 p.m. on the day after the kill.
In Oct. 2023 the NRB and DNR approved a rule intended to create zone-specific wolf tags and to shorten the kill reporting time.
But the rule is pending approval by the Legislature.
On the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has filed an appeal that seeks to remove the wolf from ESA protections. And the 2025-26 Congress may take up bills, one co-authored by Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin) and another by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), that seek to delist the wolf through legislation.
No damage payment information is yet available on the 2024 wolf depredations. The DNR reimbursed farmers, hound owners and others $244,066 in 2020, $179,344 in 2021, $100,129 in 2022 and $175,385 in 2023.
The highest amount paid due to wolf damages in Wisconsin was $336,129 in 2011.
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