DNR estimates 1,200 wolves roaming Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released their wolf monitoring report for 2024-2025. That report estimated that there are 1,226 wolves in Wisconsin. It is important to note that these estimates are created when the wolf population is at its lowest point during the year. DNR estimates also do not include lone or dispersing wolves, which can be up to 10 to 15 percent of the population. Only pack-related wolves are estimated with these counts. These numbers also account only for wolves in the core wolf range in the state. The estimate is said to have a 95 percent confidence level, with 1,226 being the most likely count, but it could range from 1,087 to 1,379. The number of estimated wolf packs in Wisconsin sits at 336, which is also with a 95 percent credible interval of 299 to 373 packs. This number is down from an estimated 354 packs in 2024.

The monitoring report covers a span between April 15, 2024 and April 15, 2025. The DNR has moved to a scaled occupancy model of population estimates, which is said to be a more accurate means by which to create these estimates. This methodology was applied to data from 2020 to 2024, meaning there are now revised estimates for those years, including last year, for which the DNR did not previously have an estimate.

The monitoring report also looked at pack data. The mean pack size in Zone 1 is said to be 4.12 wolves. In Zone 2, mean pack size is 3.45. Zone 3 is 3 wolves per pack and Zone 4 and 5 are 2.87 and 3.87, respectively. Lower and upper 95 percent credible limits for abundance estimates range from 250 to 549 wolves in various wolf management zones in the state. 

One of the methods used in the state to help create these estimates is winter tracking surveys. During the winter of 2024-2025, 18,436 miles of track surveys were conducted at an average of 33 miles per survey. These surveys are done with a combination of DNR employees and volunteers. Volunteer track surveys accounted for 3,848 miles of total surveys run during that period. 

Wolf collaring has also helped with the state’s population estimates. During the period covered in the report, 39 wolves were monitored using GPS collars, A total of 28 wolves were captured and collared during that period, including nine adult females and 18 adult males.

In total, 1,419 confirmed wolf or wolf sign observations were recorded and reported to the DNR during this period. Of the reports submitted to the DNR, 153 came through Wildlife Observation Reports, while Snapshot Wisconsin contributed 1,266 submissions. 

Snapshot Wisconsin is a citizen science project with volunteers obtaining a trail camera from the DNR and placing it in a strategic location on their property. The encrypted photos from the trail camera are uploaded by the volunteer to the department. Once processed, the volunteer can then view the photos and identify which animals were seen in each photograph. Identifications are checked for accuracy and then used to help estimate ranges and abundance of many different wildlife species on the landscape, with wolves being just one of those species.

Conflicts

With wolf range expanding to more places than the department originally expected would provide suitable habitat, so, too, have the areas where conflicts are happening expanded. In the report period, there were 70 livestock incidents, including 57 verified depredations. This included 29 cattle and 15 horses. There were 39 non-livestock conflicts. Of those 27 were dogs killed while hunting. Both lethal and non-lethal control measures are used to address conflicts, according to the report.

Mortality

The report also looked at wolf mortality. A total of 36 wolf mortalities were detected, with 53 percent of those being due to vehicle collisions. Thirty-three percent of mortalities were illegal killings and 14 percent were confirmed to be from natural causes. Three radio-collared wolf mortalities were recorded, including one human-caused death. 

In total, the report stated 11 illegally killed wolves were recovered during the monitoring period and 15 wolf-related investigations were conducted by law enforcement, resulting in five citations and three warning citations.

Carrying Capacity

With wolf numbers and pack numbers seemingly leveling off in recent years, there was some discussion at the recent DNR wolf advisory committee meeting as to whether this was a function of the species reaching its biological carrying capacity or its social carrying capacity. Large carnivore biologist Randy Johnson said the department felt this showed the biological carrying capacity. Others, however, such as Tomahawk resident Laurie Groskopf — who is widely known for her extensive time studying wolves, reportedly exceeding 10,000 hours — argued the trend reflects social carrying capacity more than biological limits. In either case, wolf population estimates have somewhat leveled off in recent years.

Wolf listing status

The gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes is still a federally listed species. The species has bounced on and off the Endangered Species List (ESL) over many years, and has been arguably the most contentious of species, with strong advocates for management on one side and expansion on the other side.

Most recently the gray wolf delisting was challenged in court and wolves were placed back on the ESL due to a technicality in the way the delisting was written. Most would agree, however, that the wolf is a great victory for the ESL, showing that, with protection, species can rebound and, indeed, recover. While wolves are not inhabiting their entire historical range, which is inhabited in many cases by large human populations and, as such, is no longer suitable for wolves, most would agree that wolf populations in the Western Great Lakes have recovered.

Volunteer wolf tracking courses set for early winter

Each year the DNR holds volunteer training and refresher trainings for all individuals who are registered to be involved in the wolf tracking program. Volunteers sign up for survey blocks where tracking is needed all across wolf range. They are asked to track in that survey block at least three times over the course of the winter. 

Trackers head out shortly after a snowfall and walk lesser used roads in the survey block, noting if wolf tracks are present, where they came onto and left the road, and how many individuals were likely present.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].