MADISON — The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it will refund the $10 application fee to customers who applied for a wolf harvest permit or preference point for the Fall 2021 wolf harvest season. The department will restore all customer’s wolf preference point records to their Fall 2021 pre-application status.
Following a federal court ruling on Feb. 10, wolves in the lower 48 states were returned to the Federal Endangered Species List. (The ruling excludes wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains region.) Under Wisconsin law, if the wolf is listed on the federal endangered list, the state is not authorized to implement a wolf harvest season.
As a result of this change, the Wisconsin DNR will be refunding the $10 application fee and updating wolf preference points on customer records. The $10 refund check will arrive by U.S. mail. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Other immediate implications of this ruling include the following: " Permits allowing lethal removal of wolves issued to landowners experiencing wolf conflicts are no longer valid. The department has contacted permit holders directly.
" The department is not autho rized to use lethal control as part of its conflict management program. Non-lethal tools remain available.
" The training of dogs to track and trail wolves is not allowed. Dog hunters may no longer pursue wolves for training purposes.
The DNR remains committed to assisting individuals that experience conflicts with wolves through an interagency cooperative agreement with USDA-Wildlife Services for abatement and control.
If you suspect wolves in the depredation of livestock, pets or hunting dogs, or if wolves are exhibiting threatening or dangerous behavior, contact USDA-Wildlife Services staff immediately. If in northern Wisconsin, call 1-800-228-1368 or 715-369-5221; if in southern Wisconsin, call 1-800-433-0663 or 920-324-4514.
For more on wolves in Wisconsin, visit the DNR website for additional information on wolf management and wolf conflict abatement.
DNR NOW ACCEPTING ARTWORK ENTRIES FOR 2022 WILD TURKEY, PHEASANT AND WATERFOWL STAMP DESIGN CONTESTS
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting artwork entries for the Wild Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl Stamp design contests. The winning designs will appear on the 2023 collection of stamps.
Each year, local artists from around Wisconsin compete for an opportunity to have their artwork commemorated in a historic way on the Wild Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl stamps.
“This is the 26th year of the turkey stamp contest. It’s a historic opportunity for artists to commemorate their talent and provide opportunities for wildlife and wildlife habitat management,” said Alaina Gerrits, DNR Wildlife Biologist. “Artists are encouraged to use the contest to showcase their creative expression while capturing the charisma of native Wisconsin birds.”
Sales of these three stamps bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management throughout the state, including habitat management, restoration, education and research projects. Hunters are required to purchase stamps to harvest these game birds.
The contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older living in Wisconsin who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be eligible, and applicants should carefully review the contest rules to ensure their entries’ eligibility.
The deadline to submit stamp designs is July 15, 2022. Judging will take place in late July or early August 2022.
The winners of the 2022 contests are Robert Metropulos, Arbor Vitae, for wild turkey; Mark Kanitz, Markesan, for pheasant; and Brian Kuether, Greenfield, for waterfowl.
Rules, entry information and reproduction rights agreements are available on the DNR website.
All stamp contest applicants should review contest rules carefully to ensure the eligibility of their entries. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be properly processed and prepared for judging. The DNR may also display the submissions at the Wisconsin State Fair.
