DARLINGTON - A case of mistaken identity has led the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to warn hunters about the need to be aware of their targets.
DNR warden Jeffrey King announced Wednesday that a female gray wolf was shot and killed Monday in southern Lafayette County in Wayne township.
"The hunter thought he was shooting at a very large coyote," King said.
When the hunter examined the animal, he realized he shot a wolf and not a coyote. He immediately called the game warden, which King said was the right thing to do.
King said a gray wolf was killed last fall in Yellowstone Lake Park and other gray wolves have been seen in southwestern Wisconsin.
Wolves are an endangered species in Wisconsin. Anyone who kills a wolf could face penalties including fines, jail, confiscation of equipment and loss of hunting privileges.
According to the DNR Web site, dnr.wi.gov, there are between 537 and 564 gray wolves in Wisconsin. Deer compromise 80 percent of their diet, the Web site says, but they also eat rabbits and field mice.
The wolf population continues to increase, according to the DNR.
King said hunters who take part in coyote hunting season need to know the difference between a coyote and a wolf.
According to King: Wolves weigh more than 50 pounds and are between 2 to 2.5 feet tall and between 5 and 6 feet long. Wolves are long-legged and are gray in color but can vary from black to white. A wolf's nose is block-like.
Coyotes rarely weigh more than 45 pounds and are about 2 feet tall and about 4 feet long. Coyotes have a delicate, medium-sized face, similar to a dog or a fox. King said coyotes usually are gray but also can be brown. They also have long, pointed noses.
"A wolf appears massive compared to a coyote," King said. A wolf's ears are more rounded than a coyote's, which are pointed.
DNR warden Chuck Horn, Dodgeville, said wolves have been seen in all 11 counties in the DNR's South Central Region.
As the population in the northern part of the state increases, more wolves are spreading to other areas of Wisconsin to establish new packs and territories, King said.
A wolf pack usually has between six and 10 wolves, according to the DNR.
King said hunters need to be aware of the differences between wolves and coyotes. Wolves are on the federal Endangered Species list.
Killing a wolf, even unintentionally, could lead to a fine of more than $4,000.
DNR warden Jeffrey King announced Wednesday that a female gray wolf was shot and killed Monday in southern Lafayette County in Wayne township.
"The hunter thought he was shooting at a very large coyote," King said.
When the hunter examined the animal, he realized he shot a wolf and not a coyote. He immediately called the game warden, which King said was the right thing to do.
King said a gray wolf was killed last fall in Yellowstone Lake Park and other gray wolves have been seen in southwestern Wisconsin.
Wolves are an endangered species in Wisconsin. Anyone who kills a wolf could face penalties including fines, jail, confiscation of equipment and loss of hunting privileges.
According to the DNR Web site, dnr.wi.gov, there are between 537 and 564 gray wolves in Wisconsin. Deer compromise 80 percent of their diet, the Web site says, but they also eat rabbits and field mice.
The wolf population continues to increase, according to the DNR.
King said hunters who take part in coyote hunting season need to know the difference between a coyote and a wolf.
According to King: Wolves weigh more than 50 pounds and are between 2 to 2.5 feet tall and between 5 and 6 feet long. Wolves are long-legged and are gray in color but can vary from black to white. A wolf's nose is block-like.
Coyotes rarely weigh more than 45 pounds and are about 2 feet tall and about 4 feet long. Coyotes have a delicate, medium-sized face, similar to a dog or a fox. King said coyotes usually are gray but also can be brown. They also have long, pointed noses.
"A wolf appears massive compared to a coyote," King said. A wolf's ears are more rounded than a coyote's, which are pointed.
DNR warden Chuck Horn, Dodgeville, said wolves have been seen in all 11 counties in the DNR's South Central Region.
As the population in the northern part of the state increases, more wolves are spreading to other areas of Wisconsin to establish new packs and territories, King said.
A wolf pack usually has between six and 10 wolves, according to the DNR.
King said hunters need to be aware of the differences between wolves and coyotes. Wolves are on the federal Endangered Species list.
Killing a wolf, even unintentionally, could lead to a fine of more than $4,000.