| Author | Message | ||
     Jamesvee Member Username: Jamesvee Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2003 |
I'm wondering if it is legal or not to kill predators that are on a deer farm. This farm in particular was given the right by the WI DNR a few years ago to enclose an area of over 640 acres and harvest all animals on that land inside of the fence. I've been told that there are some wolves on the farm. And I've seen as well as found sign from coyote. The other day I came across a very large bear track. I was wondering if it is legal to harvest these predators without having to go through the process of applying and buying tags. Thanks! | ||
| A2 Guest |
You cannot shoot a bear or wolf in your enclosure. You can call DNR and they will attempt to trap them. Coyotes are something else - I'm pretty sure you can shoot them. | ||
| Tom Solin Guest |
Jamesvee, The deer farm license would only have given the licensee or their designate the right to kill deer on the property. There are some other licenses available that gives the licensee control over other species. such as pheasants or quail. Any landowner can harvest coyotes except for a closed period during the regular gun deer season in the northern part of the state. Coyote season is closed in the northern part of the state to prevent the unintentional shooting of wolves when they are mistaken for coyote. Bear or wolves can not be killed under the authority of a deer farm license. There are provisions in the animal damage laws that allow landowners to get assistance with trapping and relocation for wolves and bears. If the trapping and relocation does not work special permits to harvest bears can be received after proper application. Because wolves were listed as endangered species the killing of wolves was not allowed. Recently or very soon the status of the wolf will be changed from endangered to threatened when that happens more options then just relocation will be available for wolf damage. Contact local DNR office with the bear and wolf damage issues. They will get the forms to you to file for bear or wolf damage. The actual trapping and relocation in Wisconsin is handled by USDA APHIS animal damage personnel but it is best to start at the DNR office. Just a note the licensee would not have been given the right to harvest all animals inside of the fence. Here is a link to the program information http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/proginfo.htm | ||
| Jamesvee Member Username: Jamesvee Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2003 |
Thanks very much for the great information. That helps. | ||
| Anonymous |
on the other side, If the Wolves or Bear was charging you or anyone in your farm enclosure, you DO have the right to protect yourself as well as them. | ||
| Jamesvee Member Username: Jamesvee Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2003 |
What about if they are in the process of injuring livestock? | ||
| NYBill Guest |
Charging bears and wolves, eh? A-hem, sir, but we DO NOT take American Express here, youll have to take Tom Solin and leave, please...Just some humor to a silly answer. | ||
| Anonymous |
Tom, your statement "Because wolves were listed as endangered species the killing of wolves was not allowed." is a bold faced lie and you know it! Four (4) timberwolves occupied the Forest of Antlers 1,000 acre hunting preserve and feasted on deer for nearly two (2) years. It took two years for three different federal trappers employed by APHIS to catch 3 of those wolves. They finally asked the federal government for a permit to kill the 4th endangered timber wolf and they were given a permit to kill the wolf. After they shot the wolf, the spin that the Wisconsin DNR put on this in their press release was that after several days of "HARD HUNTING" they were finally able to get a clean killing shot and dispatched the wolf. What really happened is that a Wisconsin DNR employee and his son rode along as the APHIS trapper checked his traps. When a trap and its drag were gone from the location that it had been set, the trapper followed the drag trail until he found the trapped wolf tangled in brush. In the meantime the DNR employee and his son sat in the trappers pickup truck because it was raining. Once the trapper located the wolf the DNR employee then got out and did his "HARD HUNTING" and shot the wolf. In reality the hardest thing that the DNR had to do on this hunt was figure out how to put the right spin on the press release. | ||
| Jamesvee Member Username: Jamesvee Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2003 |
You make it sound like that is something new anonomyous. They do it all the time. | ||
| Tom Solin Guest |
Anonymous, you definitely appear to know more about the Forest of Antlers situation than me, but being nameless makes it difficult for you to establish credibility for your statements. I think we can agree that killing the wolf was not the first option. Forest of Antlers went through the channels I recommended; contact the DNR and APHIS to get APHIS to trap the wolf. If you just go out and shoot the wolf or bear you will be facing a citation. If you shoot the wolf it is likely Fish and Wildlife Agents will also pay you a visit. Getting a bear or a wolf inside of your fenced enclosure is a serious and very problematic issue for the deer farmer. Once a wolf discovers the higher concentration of deer in a large acreage facility it takes a darn good fence to keep them out. |
