Update March 14, 2012: The Wisconsin state legislature has now passed S.B. 411. By a special resolution, the bill was passed by the Assembly on March 13, 2012 by a vote of 69-25 and the Senate which had already passed the bill, concurred in minor Assembly amendments.
Original report: The Wisconsin legislature is set to pass a bill, A.B. 502/S.B. 411 that would allow the state Department of Natural Resources to issue licenses for the hunting and trapping of wolves, animals just removed from the endangered species list. Worse, the wolves could be hunted with handguns, shotguns, rifles and any other type of firearm, bows and arrows, crossbows, and traps. Bait and dogs could also be used to hunt wolves.
Frank Wendland, co-founder of W.O.L.F. Sanctuary, states the bill should at least be amended to prohibit hunting with dogs, trapping or baiting. "All civilized societies are banning barbaric practices like this." This statement was issued by another animal advocate on condition of anonymity: "[T]he new hunting bill….was written and sponsored by the Bear Hunters Association….This is not a bill about wolf management but it is an all-out war on our wolves. It allows hunting, trapping, baiting and snares …..This goes on during peak breeding season and will allow pregnant females to be killed.
"[Of concern] is the section which allows hunting wolves with dogs day and night….Hunting wolves with dogs is nothing like hunting any other game species and it is simply legalized dog fighting." Basically, wolves will stand and fight dogs who are naturally afraid of wolves. Dogs will be bred and trained to fight wolves and sacrificed for this blood sport.