Wisconsin considers hunting and trapping as a management plan for wolves in the state.
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources is considering a gray wolf trapping and hunting season to control the overgrowing population.

Officials told the Wisconsin Journal Sentinel not to expect a gray wolf hunting season for about five years, however.

The state’s over-winter count topped 662 wolves—a 17 percent increase from 2008.

If a hunting season for wolves is approved in the next five years, biologists don’t want the population to fall below 500 animals, which will make permits limited.

Adrian Wydeven, a DNR wolf ecologist, said the organization would probably use a lottery system for issuing permits and foresees that about 30 permits will be issued per year.