PROGRESS REPORT OF WOLF POPULATION MONITORING IN WISCONSIN FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER MARCH 2005

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1 PROGRESS REPORT OF WOLF POPULATION MONITORING IN WISCONSIN FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER MARCH 2005 By: Adrian P. Wydeven, Jane E. Wiedenhoeft, Ronald L. Schultz, Richard P. Thiel, Sarah H. Boles, Ellen Heilhecker and Wayne H. Hall Jr. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Park Falls, Wisconsin PUB-ER The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C This publication is available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.) upon request. Please call for more information. ABSTRACT June 15, 2005 The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has annually monitored the state population of gray wolves (Canis lupus) since 1979 using radio telemetry, snow track surveys, and collection of reports of wolf observations. Wolves were removed from the state list of endangered and threatened species in summer 2004, but the federal government re-listed wolves from federally threatened to endangered on 31 January 2005 due to the decision of a federal court. A minimum count over winter consisted of 425 to 455 wolves in 108 packs and 14 loners. A total of 414 to 442 wolves occurred outside of Indian reservations, thus representing the second year of the wolf population at or above its goal of 350 wolves in the state outside Indian reservations. The state wolf population increased by 14% from last year s population of 373 wolves. Mean winter home range for 27 adult wolves was 37 mi 2. Total occupied range of territorial wolves was 6374 mi 2, that was occupied at a density of about 1 wolf / 14 mi 2. An estimated pups were present in late winter with mean survival rate of 31%.

2 2 INTRODUCTION The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was extirpated from Wisconsin in the late 1950 s following a state bounty program that lasted from 1865 to 1957 (Thiel 1993). Elimination of the bounty in Wisconsin (1957), Michigan (1960) and Minnesota (1965), as well as endangered species designations, allowed wolves to recolonize Wisconsin in the mid 1970 s (Wydeven et al. 1995). The state of Wisconsin listed the gray (timber) wolf as a state endangered species in 1975, and began formal population monitoring in 1979 (Wydeven et al. 1995). Intense population monitoring of wolves was considered an important management strategy in the 1989 recovery plan (Wisconsin DNR 1989), and the 1999 state wolf management plan (Wisconsin DNR 1999). Wolves were reclassified as a state threatened species on 1 October On 1 August, 2004 the gray wolf was removed from the state list of threatened and endangered species, and was listed as a protected wild animal. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the eastern gray wolf as an endangered species in 1967 and again in 1974 under the 1973 Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). Wolves were reclassified to threatened in 1978 in Minnesota. Wisconsin, Michigan and the remainder of the Eastern Distinct Population Segment were downlisted to threatened on 1 April A population of 100+ wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan for 5 or more years and a stable population in Minnesota were criteria for delisting the Eastern DPS. The combined state populations have exceeded 100 wolves for Wisconsin and Michigan since 1994, and currently there are at least 800 wolves; thus have been at the 100+ goal for 12 years. The federal delisting process for the Eastern DPS of gray wolves began in summer 2004, and was expected to be completed in 2005, but a federal judge ruling from Oregon on 31 January 2005 reversed that process. As of 31 January 2005, all wolves downlisted to threatened by the federal government in 2003, were re-listed as endangered, and the de-listing process started for the Eastern DPS was put on hold. Thus the State of Wisconsin currently lists wolves as protected wild animals, but the federal government continues to list as endangered, and any lethal control by the state is possible only with special permits. The state delisting goal of 250 wolves outside of Indian reservations was initially achieved in 2002, and the state delisting process was finalized in 2004, with wolves designated as protected wild animals in Wisconsin Statutes (NR10.02). The state management goal of 350 wolves outside of Indian reservations appears to have been achieved in 2004, and will lead to more liberal controls to keep the population near 350 once federal delisting is completed. The present report covers surveys conducted in Wisconsin from October 2004 through March 2005, but some survey information extends from mid September 2004 to mid April This report documents the mid and late winter wolf population in the state, and represents the 26 th consecutive year of these winter wolf population surveys. Also, this was the 10 th year that volunteer carnivore trackers were used to assist in winter surveys of the state wolf population.

3 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Many people assisted with monitoring and documenting the Wisconsin wolf population. DNR pilots monitoring radio-collared wolves from the air included Mike Weinfurter, Phil Miller, John Bronson, Joe Sprenger, Paul Anderson, Dan Cardinal, and Bob Clark. Jane Wiedenhoeft monitored wolves in northwest Wisconsin and coordinated data analysis and summaries. Sarah Boles monitored wolves in northwest Wisconsin and coordinated the volunteer tracking programs. Ron Schultz monitored wolves in northcentral and northeast Wisconsin, and coordinated equipment acquisition and preparations. Adrian Wydeven monitored wolves throughout northern Wisconsin, and coordinated the state wide wolf program. Dick Thiel coordinated wolf monitoring in central Wisconsin with Wayne Hall, other DNR workers, and UW-Stevens Point graduate student Ellen Heilhecker. Randy Jurewicz coordinated carcass transport and distribution, coordinated depredation payments, assisted on surveys and addressed policy concerns. Dr. Julie Langenburg, Kerry Beheler, and Nancy Businga coordinated wolf health monitoring. Wolf necropsies were performed by Dr. Nancy Thomas and Dr. Valerie Bochsler, and were coordinated through Dr. Grace McLaughlin, Dr. Rex Sohn, and Dr. Emi Saito at the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison. Other DNR personnel assisting on surveys included: Greg Kessler, Buck Follis, Nancy Christel, Gary Dunsmoor, Paul Kooiker, Laine Stowell, Fred Strand, Lowell Tesky, John Olson, Pat Rominski, Rick Weide, Jon Robaidek, Pat Coffen, Bill Wood, Amber Roth, Bob Dall, Darryl Hardy, Aaron Buchholz, Todd Naas, and Michelle Hefty. USDA-Wildlife Service personnel were involved in investigating wolf depredations, providing advice to owners of domestic animals, providing nonlethal controls, and trapping problem wolves under direction of Bob Willging (northern Wisconsin) and Chip Lovell (southern and central Wisconsin), and included Dave Ruid, Eric Fromm, Ed Zydzik, Phil Peterson, Jim Rollman, Jeremy Irish, Jim Miller, Dan Hirchert, DeWayne Snobl and Kelly Thiel. Wolf surveys were also conducted by Don Reiter on the Menominee Reservation, Tom Dolittle on the Bad River Ojibwa Reservation, and Ho Chunk members, including Randy Poelma, surveyed portions of central Wisconsin. Additional assistance on wolf surveys was also provided by Pam Troxell (Timber Wolf Alliance); Dean Beyer, and Brian Roell (MI DNR); Mike Peczynski, Kathy Moe, Scott Anderson and Tom Matthiae (U.S. Forest Service); Tom Gehring, Jason Hawley, and Shawn Rossler (Central Michigan University), and Tim Wilder, Sue Vos and Harry Hughs (U.S. Army-Fort McCoy). Eighty-six people participated in volunteer carnivore tracking surveys and are listed in Appendix 2. Volunteer coordinators Alice & John Droske, Alex Edwards, Bobbi Rongstad & Tom Podlesny, Pam Troxell, Marie Ericksen & Karl Pilch, Jim Williams, Nancy & Al Warren, Norm Poulton, Chris Giese, Larry & Emily Scheunemann, Joanne Finnell, Ron VanderVelden, Linda Nelson, Judy Ettenhofer, and Mike Ravet coordinated volunteer tracking efforts in their regions and provided tracking updates. Volunteers assisting on other portions of surveys included Darby Murphy, Barb Jurewicz, Lisa Michl, Wade Oehmicken and others. Mary Singsime typed portions of this report Funding for wolf population monitoring came from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services; Special Endangered Species Grants; Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-154-R (PR Funds); Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest; Wisconsin Endangered Resources Fund (tax check-off and ER license plate); Defenders of Wildlife; Timber Wolf Alliance (TWA) Adopt-A-Wolf- Pack; Timber Wolf Information Network; National Wildlife Federation and donations from private individuals. Individuals or groups that have donated radio collars include Chelsea Nehm, Marshall Middle School, North Lakeland Elementary School, St. Mary School, Nicolet Elementary School, Fall Creek Elementary School, Doug Moericke s family; Sheda Mohardt, Central Michigan University, and Michigan DNR.

4 4 METHODS A territory mapping system (Fuller et al. 2002) was used to determine the Wisconsin wolf population. Radio telemetry surveys were conducted as described by Mech (1974), and were used to determine territory distribution and wolf numbers for packs with collared wolves (Fuller and Snow 1988). Aerial locations were obtained on VHF radio collared wolves about once per week. Wolves were trapped from early May to early September and attempts were made to obtain one collared wolf in about half to one third of the packs in the state (Wydeven et al. 1995, Wisconsin DNR 1999). Movements of collared wolves were assumed to represent the general movements of the pack, and maximum count obtained from the air in mid or late winter was assumed to represent the whole pack. When collared wolves moved outside of known territories in extraterritorial moves or dispersals, the collared wolves were assumed to be traveling by themselves. Wolves were rarely observed from the air in Wisconsin, except during winter when collared wolves were observed about 30% of the time, but during poor snow years, such as , wolves were observed 11% of the time. Pilots made special efforts to visually observe wolves from December through March. Numbers of visual observations were reported for all collared wolves in relationship to total radio-locations during the period of December through March. Home range areas in the winter period (15 September-14 April) were calculated using the minimum convex polygon (Mohr 1947). Isolated locations more than 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from other points were considered extra territorial moves (Fuller 1989). Areas between clusters of radio-locations more than 5 km apart were considered part of the home range area if there was regular movements between clusters. During spring and summer 2003 and 2004, Jason Hawley and Thomas Gehring of Central Michigan University conducted research testing shock collars as a means to deter wolves from specific areas. This system is being tested as a procedure for deterring wolves from areas of livestock concentration. Details of the research findings were reported in Jason s MS thesis (Hawley 2005). Snow tracking and sign surveys (Thiel and Welch 1981, Wydeven et al. 1996) were used by DNR trackers to obtain counts of wolves in packs without collared wolves, or to supplement survey information for collared packs where few observations were made from the air. Presence of raised leg urinations (RLU s) especially double raised leg urinations (urinations by both alpha male and female) were used to determine territory marking and likeliness of breeding activity (Peters and Mech 1975). Estrus blood in the snow with the RLU s of alpha females further demonstrated likely breeding activity (Rothman and Mech 1979). Breeding status was surmised for some packs based on regular breeding history in the past, or large pack size, and in some cases was determined by observation of freshly excavated den sites in late winter. Surveys were conducted by slowly driving snow covered roads within 1 to 3 days after new snow falls. During a specific survey, as many snow covered roads as possible were followed within specific survey blocks that covered about 200 square miles each (Wydeven et al. 1996, Appendix 3). Roads were followed until wolf tracks were encountered and these tracks were backtracked and forward-tracked to see where they joined and left the road. Separations of packs were determined by distance between track and sign observations, direction of movements, timing of observations, presence of radio collared packs, historical pack use of an area, and knowledge of focal points such as den sites and rendezvous sites.

5 5 Attempts were made to conduct track surveys across most of the heavily forested areas of northern and central Wisconsin. Track surveys were especially focused on areas with historical wolf presence, recent observations of wolves, or areas of highly suitable wolf habitat (Mladenoff et al. 1995). Although emphasis was on conducting surveys in fairly recent snow, surveys in older snow did allow detection of wolf presence and of wolf breeding activity (RLU s), but older snow was less suitable for precise counts due to vehicle activity, snowplowing, melting-freezing, and perhaps multiple passages by wolf packs. Along with DNR trackers, volunteer trackers representing other agencies or the general public helped provide additional snow track surveys. This was the tenth year for the volunteer tracking program. Most heavily forested and mixed forest areas were subdivided into 133 survey blocks (Appendix 3, Wydeven et al. 1996). Volunteers were asked to conduct at least 3 good surveys per block, and track about miles of road. All volunteers were required to attend weekend wolf ecology courses and day-long track training programs. Public and agency reports on wolf observations were also used for determining wolf abundance and distribution. Such surveys were included in the state wolf count only if verified by experienced trackers, or photos or videos, if available, to verify wolf identification and counts. Track observations were used as part of the state wolf count only from experienced trackers, or from well documented observations (photos, plaster casts, scats collected, etc.). Wolf packs along the border with Michigan or Minnesota were included in the Wisconsin wolf count if they appeared to have more than 50% of their home range or territory in Wisconsin. Thus some Minnesota and Michigan packs that overlapped only slightly into Wisconsin were not included as part of the state count. Area of wolf occupancy across the state was determined by summing up the area of all pack territories and multiplying by 1.37 to include 37% interstitial areas around the territories (Fuller et al. 1992). Current year s information on home range was used for collared packs, and the most recent values obtained within the last 3 years were used for previously collared packs. Wolf zone average values for territorial adult wolves were used to estimate area for non-collared packs or packs not collared in the last 3 years, Pup estimates in packs during winter were determined by change in wolf numbers from previous surveys, knowledge of pup presence from summer howls and observations, and knowledge of pack composition from previously captured wolves. Pup survival was estimated by taking the midpoint of the range of estimated pups in winter, and dividing by the number of breeding females the previous winter, multiplied by 5.2 pups (the mean number of implanted fetuses in 5 adult females examined in Wisconsin in the 1980 s and 1990 s). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of at least 108 packs were detected in Wisconsin in winter , plus 7 lone wolves were found that seemed to occupy regular territories that were residuals of old packs or perhaps establishing new pack territories (Figure 1). Wolf packs were located in at least 31 Wisconsin counties, including 21 counties in northern Wisconsin and 10 in central Wisconsin. Most wolf packs and territories occurred in Zone 1 in northern Wisconsin (94 packs and territories), and Zone 2 in the Central Forest (11 packs and territories), but 9 packs and territories also occurred in Zone 3 (central and western Wisconsin), areas previously considered unsuitable for wolf pack

6 6 activity. At least 4 of the 9 territories in Zone 3, had been formed by depredating wolves that had been translocated across northern Wisconsin in 2001 and 2002, and resulted after movements of wolves from remote release areas in Zone 1 (Clam River Pack 20, Long Lake Pack 99, Embarrass River loner 100, and Oconto River Pack 101). Thirty-five of 109 packs (32%) had at least one collared wolf during part of the winter period, but one of these packs was reduced to a lone individual by late winter (Oconto River Pack). During the winter period, 47 radio collared wolves were monitored in 36 Wisconsin packs, 1 Minnesota pack, and 2 appeared to be lone dispersers (Table 1). Fifteen wolves went off the air during the winter study period, including 8 that died, 5 lost signals, and 2 had collars chewed off. The 47 collared wolves included, 17 adult males, 22 adult females, 2 yearling males, 1 yearling female, 3 pup males, 1 pup female, and 1unknown animal with snare attached collar. By late winter the wolves remaining on the air included 11 adult males, 16 adult females, 1 yearling male, 1 yearling female, 2 pup males, and 1 unknown wolf. Mean winter home range area for 31 wolves with at least 20 radio locations was 38.4 mi 2, and for 27 adults with 20 or more radio locations was 37.0 mi 2 (Table 2). Average home range in the 3 zones were 42 mi 2 in Zone 1, 31 mi 2 in Zone 2, and 27 mi 2 for Zone 3. Winter home range area ranged from 11 mi 2 for 446F (adult female) who had recently joined the Tranus Lake Pack, to 104 mi 2 for 505F (adult female) of the Bootjack Lake Pack. Dispersing Wolves Wolf 462M was caught as an adult male in the Black Lake Pack in Sawyer County on 1 June After 9 November 2004, wolf 462M began spending time to the south in southeast Sawyer and western Price County, up to 26 miles south of his home territory. The wolf returned to the Black Lake Pack on 13 January and 5 April, but spent time in areas to the south in between. He especially spent time in the Flambeau River State Forest. It appeared that 462M had not completed dispersal by April Wolf 454F, adult female, was caught on a farm in Langlade County as a depredator on 19 July 2002, and relocated to the Menominee Indian Reservation on 3 September Her mate died in fall 2002, and starting winter 2003, 454F began to spend time away from her home range in western Oconto County. On 27 July 2004, she began spending time in western Shawano County, 36 miles west of her home range in Oconto County. Wolf 454F remained in western Shawano County and eastern Marathon County from late summer 2004 to spring 2005, but during the firearm deer hunting season, she did visit the Menominee Indian Reservation. Wolf 454F appeared to be occupying her home range area in Shawano County by herself. Wolf 474M was captured as an adult male from the Dunbar Pack in northern Marinette County on 19 May In early 2004 he began extensive movements to south and west, and spent most of the summer of 2004 in northern Portage County, 100 miles to the southwest. After 21 September 2004, wolf 474M began moving to the northeast, and on 5 October 2004, settled into the Oconto River Pack area in Oconto County, 52 miles to the northeast. He settled into a 33 square mile home range area with adult female 452F in western Oconto and eastern Menominee Counties. Wolf 474M continued to occupy this area after 452F was killed on 2 March Wolf 479M was captured as a pup male on 23 August 2003 in the Ranger Island Pack of Lincoln County. He left the territory in late March 2004 at 11 or 12 months of age and traveled westward. He spent late spring (19 May - 15 June) and mid summer (3 August-12 August) 2004

7 7 in the Green Creek area. Most of early summer was in the range of the Kidrick Swamp Pack (22 June - 27 July). Most of late summer (8 September - 5 October) of 2004 was spent in the area of the Pershing Wildlife Area in western Taylor County. It was not known if other wolves occurred in this area at the time, but a bear hound was injured in this area on 25 September 2004 by a wolf (wolves). Wolf 479M was last detected on 12 October 2004 near Sheldon in Rusk County, 53 miles west of his natal home in the Range Island territory. Wolf 480M adult male, was captured in the Wildcat Mound pack of Jackson County on 28 August He was not flown in September, but his home range from 10 October 2004 through 15 February 2005 occurred around the old iron mine east of Black River Falls. After 15 February, 480M began to head westward. He was illegally shot and found dead northwest of Hixton in Jackson County, and 24 miles west of his original capture. Wolf 496M, adult male, was captured in the South Empire Pack on 9 September 2004, and Wolf 512F, adult female, was captured in the North Empire on 7 September They appear to have joined together to form a new group in fall The 2 wolves were detected together on 14 December 2004, and appeared to remain together for the rest of the winter in the Lyman Lake area east of the North Empire, north of the South Empire, and west of the Moose Lake Pack. W509F, female pup, was captured in the Spring Creek Pack in Price County on 26 October 2004 by a coyote trapper. She remained in the Spring Creek territory until mid-february. After that, she began dispersing west and was last located near Exeland in Sawyer County in March. Her collar was found chewed off south of Exeland in mid-march, about 50 mi. west of her capture location. A yearling (?) female wolf was killed in eastern Marathon County on 25 March Her location was just west of areas roamed by wolf 454F. The yearling female was found dead about 24 miles south of the nearest wolf pack. An adult male wolf was killed by vehicle in Lake County, Illinois on 17 February The wolf was 1.2 miles south of the Wisconsin border in Kenosha County. The wolf was killed next to the Fox River and had perhaps followed this river from further north in Wisconsin. The wolf was located 152 miles southeast of the nearest wolf pack in Wisconsin, in the Necedah Wildlife Refuge. This is the second wolf killed in Illinois in recent years. In fall 2002 an adult male wolf was killed near Henry in Marshall County, about 95 miles south of the Wisconsin border. Also in June 2003, a Wisconsin wolf was killed in eastern Indiana, and it would have had to pass through Illinois to reach that location. Thus apparently some dispersal of Wisconsin wolves is occurring through Illinois. Wolf Telemetry Summary DNR Pilots detected a total of 146 wolves during the winter period, representing 34% of the minimum estimated wolves (425) in the state in winter (Table 3). In 2004 pilots had observed 27% of the winter population, compared to 39% in Percentage of times that collared wolves were observed from the air was 12 % for winter , which was considerably less than the 24 % for winter , but similar to 11% for

8 8 winter This figure has averaged close to 30% over recent years, but seems to decline during winters with poorer snow cover. Mean pack size for 28 packs observed from the air was 4.6 wolves (S.D. 2.1), and ranged from 2 to 9 wolves. Wolf Mortality and Disease Nineteen or 20 wolves were found dead in Wisconsin in the winter study period ; the cut-off collar of Wolf 493M, was found in adjacent Michigan, but this wolf s home range was mostly in Wisconsin (Table 4). Additionally, Wolf 268M of the Truck Trail Pack of western Wisconsin was found dead in nearby Minnesota. Overall mortality included 6 shootings (30%), 1 illegal snaring (5%), 4 vehicle collisions (20%), 4 euthanized at depredation sites (20%), and 5 that appeared to have died from mange (25%). Cause of death among collared wolves was 4 shootings (50%), 1 illegal snaring (12%), and 3 dying from mange (38%). It appears that illegal kill continues to be an important mortality factor of wolves. Both adult wolves of the Alvin Creek Pack (493M & 504F) of northern Forest County were apparently killed illegally. These 2 were the first wolves trapped and collared in the Nicolet National Forest in summer 2004, and pups were detected with them in mid summer. By late winter 2005, no wolves were detected in the home range area of this pack. Mange continues to affect certain wolves in the population. All 3 collared wolves in the adjacent Moose Road and Truck Trail Packs died between 21 December 2004 and 18 January 2005 from mange. Wolves dying included 2 adults in the Moose Road (471M & 478F), and the probable alpha male of the Truck Trail Pack (268M) who died on 4 January 2005, after having been monitored through much of his life following his capture as a pup in The Truck Trail Pack has had a long history of mange and was the first Wisconsin pack from which it was verified in Vehicle collisions continue to be an important mortality factor among some wolves, but are not frequently detected among collared wolves, suggesting that it perhaps is a more important mortality factor for wolves dispersing through the state. Euthanizing of depredators will likely expand as the wolf population increases, but because less than 10% of packs in most years cause depredations, only a small fragment of the wolf population will be exposed to this mortality factor. Wolf Depredation on Domestic Animals Wolf depredation activity on domestic animals is generally relatively low during the winter period, and only 5 depredation events were reported during the study period (Table 5). Depredations included 3 dogs killed, 1 calf killed, and 1 horse injured that had to be euthanized. Two dogs were killed near home sites, and one was killed in a hunting situation. Two packs appeared to be involved in the depredation on dogs, and one pack and one loner were involved in livestock depredation. Three control actions were taken by USDA-Wildlife Services in the winter period, including trapping at 2 farms, and nonlethal controls installed at one farm. Four wolves were euthanized at one farm site from a pack that had been involved in depredation in summer All lethal control actions were stopped on 31 January 2005, when wolves were re-listed as endangered by the federal government. On 1 April 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a special

9 permit to Wisconsin DNR and USDA-Wildlife Services, allowing some lethal control activities to resume. Reported Wolf Observations 9 A total of 163 reports of wolf observations that were classified as probable or possible were received in the winter period (Table 7). Reports of wolf observations were up somewhat from the same period last year when 145 reports were received, but down from 235 reports of wolves in winter (Wydeven et al. 2004). Wolf Reports were received from 40 Wisconsin counties. Most reports were received from counties with known wolf packs in Zone 1 & 2, but reports were also received from 13 counties within Zone 3 (marginal wolf habitat), and 10 counties in Zone 4 (unsuitable wolf habitat)(figure 2). Counties with highest wolf observation rates were Iron (16), Marinette (15), and Price (15). Some of the reports of wolf observations in central and southern Wisconsin may be coyotes, dogs, or wolf-dog hybrids, but the death of a wolf in northeast Illinois in February 2005 (see above), indicates that wolves can travel through these highly developed landscapes. Volunteer Track Surveys Volunteer trackers returned surveys for 68 survey blocks (89%) of 76 assigned blocks (Table 8). Additional DNR trackers surveyed 73 survey blocks, and the 2 groups tracked 102 of the 133 designated survey blocks in the state. Blocks not surveyed included those surveyed only by radio telemetry, blocks in Indian reservations, and blocks in marginal wolf habitat, with none or few reports of wolf activity. Blocks surveyed included all areas of highly suitable wolf habitat (Mladenoff et al. 1995). Return rates on surveys was higher than 2004 (71%), and 2003 (56%), but total blocks assigned declined somewhat in 2005 compared to 2004 (76 verses 97 blocks). Volunteer trackers detected wolves along miles, and DNR trackers counted wolves along miles of survey. Volunteer trackers averaged 3.8 surveys per block, covering 72.6 miles, and 13.5 hours per block. In 39 survey blocks both DNR and volunteer trackers surveyed wolves. DNR trackers detected wolves and volunteer trackers detected wolves in these blocks. DNR detected more wolves in 13 blocks, volunteers detected more wolves in 16 blocks, and counts were the same in 10 blocks, including 4 blocks where no wolves were detected. Overall the counts from both groups were similar across the 39 blocks, indicating volunteers are providing suitable counts for estimating wolf numbers. Statewide Wolf Count The Wisconsin wolf population estimated in mid to late winter 2005 was 425 to 455 wolves in at least 108 packs or groups, and including at least 14 loners (Table 9, Figure 3). This count represents the minimum number of wolves estimated to be in the state in late winter from a composite of information on wolves from radio tracking, snow track surveys, and reports of wolf observations. We are fairly confident on the count of established packs, but loners and new pairs just starting to establish new territories may be undercounted. The wolf count in 2004 was 373 to 410 (Wydeven et al. 2004) and using the bottom range of that count, it would appear that wolves increased by 14 %. The population has increased at an annual rate of 20% from 1985 through 2002, but since 2002 has increased annually at a rate of 9%.

10 10 The wolf population continued to grow, but at a slower rate than the 1990 s. This was also the first time since 1993 that there was not an increase in the number of packs in the state. The pack count in 2005 does not represent the same packs as present in 2004; some packs died out and some new packs developed. Table 10 lists all the packs and territorial wolves detected in the state in A total of wolves occurred outside of Indian reservations (11 to 13 wolves occurred on tribal land). The management goal for the Wisconsin wolf population is 350 wolves outside of Indian reservations, and thus the population in winter was 64 to 92 wolves above the population goal. Because wolves are currently listed as federally endangered, no population controls can be applied to wolves aside from lethal controls on wolves killing domestic animals on private land. In 2004, 24 wolves were killed at depredation sites, but this mortality apparently had little affect on growth of the overall population. Depredation control activities may slow the spread of wolves into agricultural landscapes. An estimated 118 to 192 wolf pups born in 2004, occurred in the winter wolf population in late winter Using the mid-point of 155 pups in the population, and 95 potential breeding packs in 2004, estimated pup survival was 31% statewide. Estimated pup survival was 32% in northern Wisconsin and 26% in central Wisconsin. At least 24 potential pup producing packs (25%), had no surviving pups by late winter. Average pack size was 3.8 to 4.1 wolves per pack in winter 2005, compared to 3.5 to 3.8 in Pup survival was estimated at only 26 % in 2004, and perhaps improved pup survival in 2005 accounted for larger average pack size. Packs averaged wolves in northern Wisconsin and wolves in central Wisconsin. Radio collared packs averaged 4.6 wolves per pack, but this was perhaps biased upward because trapping and collaring more often occur in packs of 3 or more wolves, and capture success is greater in larger packs, but these pack members may disperse and become loners or join other packs. Snow track surveys probably more readily detect newly formed pair bonds, which would keep pack size estimates down. The area covered by 108 packs and 7 lone territorial wolves was estimated to cover 4652 mi 2. Allowing for 37% interstitial area (Fuller et al. 1992), total area covered by territorial wolves was estimated at 6373 mi 2. Therefore 418 to 448 territorial wolves occurred at a density of one wolf per mi 2 within occupied wolf range. Area of wolf range and wolf densities across the 3 zones was as follows: Zone 1, 5557 mi 2 at 1 wolf / mi 2 ; Zone 2, 346 mi 2 at 1 wolf/ mi 2 ; and Zone 3, 250 mi 2 at 1 wolf / 16.3 mi 2. The 1999 wolf plan anticipated that at least 5812 mi 2 of primary wolf habitat occurred across Wisconsin, and 5015 mi 2 of secondary habitat existed across the state (Wisconsin DNR 1999). Nearly all areas of primary and secondary habitat appear to be occupied by wolves across northwest, northcentral and central Wisconsin, but areas of primary habitat in northeast Wisconsin still have only scattered wolf distribution. Except northeast Wisconsin, wolves seemed to have occupied most of the highly suitable habitat, and are beginning to expand into more marginal areas. Habitat quality was mainly based on areas of low road density, but it appears now that most areas with extensive forest cover across northern and central Wisconsin are able to support wolves. It appears the wolf population has surpassed the goal for the state, and across much of northern and central Wisconsin, areas of suitable habitat are fully occupied by wolf packs. Although road density was a good early predictor to areas being colonized by new wolf packs in the state, when most of the most suitable areas became occupied, wolves continued to expand into areas of extensive forest cover. In Minnesota it appears that the area of wolf population expansion

11 11 stopped after about 1998, as wolves reached the edge of extensive forested areas, and areas of extensive agriculture (John Erb pers. comm. 2005). It appears that wolves in Wisconsin still have additional areas they can occupy in northeast Wisconsin, but further spread of the population in northwest and northcentral parts of the state will be into developed and agricultural areas, where there will be higher levels of conflict. This has been illustrated by a rapid increase in farms involved in wolf depredation from 8 in 2002, 14 in 2003, and 22 in Until federal delisting occurs, lethal control at depredation sites will be the only population control available to the Wisconsin DNR. It is hoped that the federal delisting process will be completed sometime within the next year. PLANS FOR NEXT SEASON Live-trapping and radio-collaring of wolves will be done by the WDNR from early May through early September. The second study by Central Michigan University will examine use of shock collars as a means for reducing livestock depredation. John Shivik with USDA-Wildlife Services will initiate a study on 2 or 3 farms to determine calf mortality, and determine how much of missing livestock are due to wolves and other predators by following radio collared calves. USDA-Wildlife Services will investigate all possible wolf depredations and determine appropriate lethal and nonlethal controls to reduce wolf depredation. Wolves found dead in the field will be taken to the National Wildlife Health Center or DNR Wildlife Health Lab for necropsies. State officials will work with officials from Michigan and Minnesota DNR s and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to resume and complete the delisting process for the Western Great Lakes.

12 12 LITERATURE CITATIONS Fuller, T.K Population dynamics of wolves in north central Minnesota. Wildlife Monographs 105:41pp. Fuller, T.K. and W.J. Snow Estimating wolf densities from radio telemetry data. Wildlife Society Bulletin 16: Fuller, T.K., W.E. Berg, G.L. Radde, M.S. Lenarz and G.B. Joselyn A history and current estimate of wolf distribution and numbers in Minnesota. Wildlife Society Bulletin 20: Fuller, T.K. E.C. York, S.M. Powell, T.A. Decker, and R.M. DeGraff An evaluation of territory mapping to estimate fisher density. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79: Hawley, J. E Experimental assessment of shock collars as a nonlethal control method for free-roaming wolves in Wisconsin. MS Thesis, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan Mech, L.D Current techniques in the study of elusive wilderness carnivores. pages in Proc. XIth International Congress of Game Biologists, Stockholm Sweden. Mladenhoff, D.J., T.A. Sickley, R.G. Haight, and A.P. Wydeven A regional landscape analysis and prediction of favorable gray wolf habitat in the northern Great Lakes region. Conservation Biology 9: Mohr, C.O Table of equivalent populations of North American small mammals. American Midland Naturalist 37: Peters, R.P. and L.D. Mech Scent-marking in wolves: A field study. American Scientist. 63: Rothman, R.J. and L.D. Mech Scent marking in lone wolves and newly formed pairs. Animal Behavior. 17: Thiel, R.P The Timber Wolf in Wisconsin: The Death and Life of a Majestic Predator. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin. 253 pp. Thiel, R.P. and R.J. Welch Evidence of recent breeding activity in Wisconsin wolves American Midland Naturalist 106: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery plan for the Eastern Timber Wolf. Twin Cities Minn. 73 pp. Wisconsin DNR Wisconsin Timber wolf recovery plan. Wisconsin Endangered Resources Report 50, Madison, WI 37 pp. Wisconsin DNR Wisconsin wolf management plan. Wisconsin Department of

13 Natural Resources, Publ-ER , Madison, Wisconsin 74 pp. Wydeven, A.P., R.N. Schultz, and R.P. Thiel Monitoring a recovering wolf population in Wisconsin. Page in L.N. Carbyn, S.H. Fritts and D.R. Seip (eds). Ecology and Conservation of Wolves in a Changing World. Canadian Circumpolar Institute, Occ. Publ. No pp. Wydeven, A.P., R.N. Schultz, and R.A. Megown Guidelines for carnivore track surveys during winter in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Endangered Resources Report 112. Madison, Wisconsin. 11 pp + Appendices. 13 Wydeven, A.P., J.E. Wiedenhoeft, R.N. Schultz, R.P. Thiel, S.R. Boles, E. Heilhecker, and W.H. Hall Jr Progress report of wolf population monitoring in Wisconsin for the period October Unpubl. Report. WDNR Park Falls, WI. 40 pp. Note: This report is a preliminary report and should not be construed as a finalized publication. Some of the numbers of pack sizes, composition, population figures, and other information may change, as more data becomes available. Persons wishing to cite figures within the report should consult the author.

14 14 Table 1. Radio-collared wolves monitored in northern and central Wisconsin and adjacent areas of Minnesota 15 September April Wolf Number Age a Date Last Counties Pack/Area Captured Date Locations b Zone 1 M036F Y West Firelane Ashland 04 May 00 c Ongoing 204 M726M A Magee Creek Ashland 11 May 03 c Ongoing M A Torch River Ashland/Sawyer 28 Jun 00 Ongoing M A Truck Trail Douglas/Pine 02 Sep 04 d 04 Jan 05 e M Y Pike River Marinette 03 Jun Nov 04 f M A Little Rice River Oneida/Price 28 Jun 01 Ongoing F A Flag River Bayfield 22 May 02 Ongoing F A Hellhole Creek Ashland/Bayfield 25 Jun 02 Ongoing F A Tranus Lake Washburn 13 Jun 02 Ongoing F A Bird Sanctuary Douglas 21 Jun 02 Ongoing F Y Spirit Lake Taylor/Price 12 Jul 02 g 27 Jan 05 f F * P North Willow Oneida 20 Nov 02 Ongoing M A Black Lake/Disperser Sawyer/Ashland/Price 01 Jun 03 Ongoing F Y Bootjack Lake Price/Oneida 02 Jul Jan 05 f M A Moose Road Douglas/Pine 03 Sep Dec 04 e M A Moose Lake Douglas 29 Jun 03 Ongoing F A Shanagolden Ashland 24 Jun 04 Ongoing F A Hungry Run Ashland/Sawyer 24 Jun 04 Ongoing F A Moose Road Douglas/Pine 03 Sep Jan 05 e M P Disperser Taylor 23 Aug Oct 04 f M A Musser Creek Price 07 Jul 03 Ongoing F Y Averill Creek North Lincoln/Taylor/Price 07 Sep 03 Ongoing M A Alvin Creek Forest/MI 24 Jun Oct 04 e M P Averill Creek South Lincoln/Taylor 27 Jun 04 Ongoing M A Lyman Lake Douglas 09 Sep 04 Ongoing M A Nineweb Lake Vilas 15 Jun 04 Ongoing B M A Twin Lakes Bayfield 13 Oct 04 Ongoing F A Alvin Creek Forest/MI 24 Jun Jan 05 e F A Bootjack Lake Price/Oneida 30 May 04 Ongoing F Y Pine Lake Iron 12 Jul 04 Ongoing F P Spring Creek/Disperser Price/Sawyer 26 Oct 04 h 14 Mar 05 i F A Lyman Lake Douglas 07 Sep 04 Ongoing 31

15 Table 1. cont. Wolf Number Age a Pack/Area 15 Counties Date Captured Last Date Locations b 514F A Somo River Lincoln 04 Aug 04 Ongoing M Y Bearsdale Bayfield 31 Oct 04 h Ongoing ?? Bootjack Lake Price/Oneida 08 Apr 05 j Ongoing 2 Zone 2 311F Y Bear Bluff Jackson/Wood/Juneau 01 Aug 03 k Ongoing M P Rattail Juneau/Wood 28 Jul 01 Ongoing M A Wildcat Mound/Disperser Jackson 28 Aug Feb 05 e M P Bear Bluff Jackson/Wood/Juneau 24 Aug 04 Ongoing M P Bear Bluff Jackson/Juneau 25 Aug Dec 04 i 17 Zone 3 393F P Long Lake Rusk 31 Jul 01 l Ongoing F P Oconto River Oconto/ Menominee 22 Jul 02 m 02 Mar 05 e F A Embarrass River Shawano/Marath/Menom. 19 Jul 02 m Ongoing F A Clam River Polk/Burnett 17 Oct 02 n Ongoing F A Ft. McCoy Monroe 13 Dec Nov 04 e M A Disperser/Oconto River Port./Shaw./Ocon./Menom. 13 Dec 02 Ongoing 78 MN 388M A MN Pack Pine, MN 25 Jul Nov 04 f 175 Zone 1: 35 wolves in 29 packs, 25 still on air at end of monitoring period Zone 2: 5 wolves in 3 packs, 3 still on air at end of monitoring period Zone 3: 6 wolves in 5 packs, 4 still on air at end of monitoring period MN: 1 wolf, 0 still on air at end of monitoring period * Possible hybrid a Age at time of capture (P = Pup, Y = Yearling, A = Adult) b Total locations from the time of capture c Captured in Gogebic County, Michigan d Recapture. Captured as a pup 28 Aug 1996 & as a yearling 11 Jun 1997 in Douglas County e Mortality f Lost signal g Captured by Wildlife Services on farm, translocated to Vilas County 30 Jul 2002 h Captured by coyote trapper i Collar chewed off j Captured in self-collaring cable restraint trial k Recaptured wolf; first captured as a yearling in Jackson County on 24 Sep 2000 l Captured by Wildlife Services, translocated to Oneida County 28 Aug 2001 m Captured by Wildlife Services on farm, translocated to Menominee County 29 Aug 2002 n Captured by Wildlife Services on farm, translocated to Vilas County 1 Nov 2002

16 16 Table 2. Home range of wolves monitored in Wisconsin and adjacent areas of Michigan and Minnesota during winter Wolf Number Age a Pack/Area No. of Winter Locations b Winter Home Range (Mi 2 ) c Zone 1 M036F A West Firelane M726M A Magee Creek M A Torch River M A Truck Trail M A Pike River M A Little Rice River F A Flag River F A Hellhole Creek F A Tranus Lake F A Bird Sanctuary F A Spirit Lake F A North Willow M A Black Lake/Disperser 25(8) 10 d 466F A Bootjack Lake M A Moose Road M A Moose Lake F A Shanagolden F A Hungry Run F A Moose Road 19(17) M Y Disperser 5(4) 1 481M A Musser Creek F A Averill Creek North 29(28) M A Alvin Creek 3 NE 495M P Averill Creek South M A Lyman Lake 28(24) M A Nineweb Lake B M A Twin Lakes F A Alvin Creek 12(6) F A Bootjack Lake 30(28) F Y Pine Lake 31(30) F P Spring Creek/Disperser 22(17) 39 d 512F A Lyman Lake F A Somo River 30 25

17 Table 2. cont. Wolf Number Age a Pack/Area 17 No. of Winter Locations b Winter Home Range (Mi 2 ) c 521M Y Bearsdale ?? Bootjack Lake 2 NE Zone 2 Mean for Zone 1 (20+ locations, n =23) F A Bear Bluff 25(24) M A Rattail M A Wildcat Mound/Disperser 18(15) M P Bear Bluff M P Bear Bluff 12(11) 13 Zone 3 Mean for Zone 2 (20+ locations, n =3) F A Long Lake F A Oconto River F A Embarrass River 30(28) F A Clam River F A Ft. McCoy 1 NE 474M A Disperser/Oconto River 29(27) 33 MN Mean for Zone 3 (20+ locations, n =5) M A MN Pack 8(7) 7 a Age during monitoring period (P=Pup, Y=Yearling, A=Adult) b Total locations 15 September 2004 to 14 April 2005 c Based on number of locations in parenthesis d Before dispersal NE = No Estimate Overall Mean for WI (20+ locations, n =31) 38.4 mi 2 Mean for WI adults (20+ locations, n =27) 37.0 mi 2

18 18 Table 3. Visual observation rates of radio-collared wolves by DNR pilots during December 2004 March 2005 in Wisconsin and adjacent areas of Minnesota and Michigan. Wolf Number No. of Locations Other Collared Wolf a Visual Observ. Percent Visuals Max.Wolves Seen Pack Zone 1 M036F % 4 West Firelane M726M % 9 Magee Creek 248M % 4 Torch River 268M % 3 Truck Trail 336M 9 0 0% 0 Pike River 355M % 8 Little Rice River 439F % 3 Flag River 444F % 3 Hellhole Creek 446F % 4 Tranus Lake 447F % 6 Bird Sanctuary 456F % 2 Spirit Lake 461F * % 3 North Willow 462M % 1 Black Lake/Disperser 466F 17 W % 8 Bootjack Lake 471M % 0 Moose Road 473M % 4 Moose Lake 475F % 9 Shanagolden 477F % 4 Hungry Run 478F % 3 Moose Road 479M 5 0 0% 0 Disperser 481M % 2 Musser Creek 485F % 8 Averill Creek North 493M 3 0 0% 0 Alvin Creek 495M % 5 Averill Creek South 496M 27 W % 2 Lyman Lake 499M % 3 Nineweb Lake 501B M % 5 Twin Lakes 504F % 0 Alvin Creek 505F 30 W % 8 Bootjack Lake 508F % 3 Pine Lake 509F % 5 Spring Creek/Disperser 512F 29 W % 2 Lyman Lake 514F % 5 Somo River

19 Table 3. cont. Wolf Number No. of Locations Other Collared Wolf a Visual Observ. 19 Percent Visuals Max.Wolves Seen Pack 521M % 6 Bearsdale 9000? 2 0 0% 0 Bootjack Lake % 128 Zone 1 wolves detected* Zone 2 311F % 6 Bear Bluff 338M % 1 Rattail 480M % 1 Wildcat Mound/Disperser 484M % 0 Bear Bluff 502M % 0 Bear Bluff % 10 Zone 2 wolves detected* Zone 3 393F % 1 Long Lake 452F % 0 Oconto River 454F % 1 Embarrass River 460F % 3 Clam River 465F 1 0 0% 0 Ft. McCoy 474M % 0 Disperser/Oconto River % 8 Zone 3 wolves detected* MN 388M 8 0 0% 0 MN Pack 8 0 0% 1 MN wolves detected* WI Total % 146 Total wolves detected* *Includes wolves not seen, but with active signal.

20 20 Table 4. Preliminary* wolf mortality in Wisconsin, October March Wolf Date Number Age/Sex County Cause Pack 10/05/ M AM Forest? MI? Shooting Alvin Creek 10/09/2004 NC Y?M Rusk Vehicle Collision Skinner Creek 10/13/2004 NC Y?F Ashland Vehicle collision Torch River 10/14/2004 NC P?M Rusk Euthanized (depredation) Long Lake 10/14/2004 NC P?F Rusk Euthanized (depredation) Long Lake 10/16/2004 NC AF Rusk Euthanized (depredation) Long Lake 10/21/2004 NC AM Rusk Euthanized (depredation) Long Lake 11/03/2004 W465 AF Monroe Shooting Ft. McCoy 11/11/2004 NC P?F Marinette Vehicle Collision Pike River 11/26/2004 NC AM Taylor Shooting Averill Creek North? 12/22/2004 W471 A?M Douglas Mange Moose Road 01/04/2005 W504 AF Forest Shooting Alvin Creek 01/04/2005 Y?F Taylor Vehicle Collision Mondeaux Flowage? 01/17/2005 P?? Douglas Mange? Shoberg Lake 01/18/2005 W478 AF Douglas Mange Moose Road 01/21/2005 M2728 AF Vilas Mange? MI pack 01/29/2005 AM? Bayfield Mange?/Shot? Moquah? 02/25/2005 W480 AM Jackson Shot/Vehicle collision? Disperser 03/02/2005 W452 AF Menominee Snared Oconto River 03/25/2005 Y?F Marathon Shot/Vehicle collision? Embarrass River 20 mortalities detected, 8 collared animals. *Necropsies have not been completed on all of these wolves.

21 Table 5. Wolf depredations on domestic animals in Wisconsin, October March Date Animal Lost Pack Involved County Payments Trapping? 12/04/ calf Disperser? Lincoln $400 Yes 12/29/ dog (Walker) - hunting Skinner Creek Price $2,000 No 02/09/ horse injured (shot) Round Lake Sawyer $1,000 No 03/14/ dog (Labrador) Skinner Creek or Green Creek Price $1,000 No 03/20/ dog (Labrador) Bibbon Swamp Bayfield No Claim No 5 cases 4 animals killed 1 animal injured 3 dogs killed 1 calf killed 1 horse injured 4 packs 1 loners 4 counties 2 farms $4, Trapping attempted at 1 farm Table 6. Wolf control cases in Wisconsin, October 2004 to March Date Complaint Type a Pack Involved Zone County Control Actions 10/12/04 Farm threat Long Lake 3 Rusk 4 wolves trapped by WS & euthanized 12/04/04 Farm depredation Disperser? 1 Lincoln Trapping attempted 02/17/05 Farm threat West Firelane 1 Ashland WS installed fladry 1 Farm depredation 2 Farm threat 2 Zone 1 1 Zone 3 Trapping attempted at 2 locations; 4 wolves trapped & euthanized Non-lethal control attempted at 1 farm a Wolves were either confirmed present at the site of the complaint, or other evidence was available to suggest they were nearby. This should not be construed to mean wolves were responsible for the listed complaint in all circumstances.

22 Table 7. Wolf observations by the general public and resource agency personnel October-December 2004/January-March Numbers on left are 4 th quarter 2004, numbers on right are 1 st quarter Total Wolf Observations County No. of Sightings Wolves Seen 22 Track or Sign Observations Wolf Observations Grand Total Ashland* 4/ /7 0/1 4/5 9 Barron* 0/1 0/1 0/0 0/1 1 Bayfield* 0/1 0/2 0/2 0/3 3 Brown 1/3 1/4 1/0 2/3 5 Burnett* 1/0 1/0 0/1 1/1 2 Douglas* 2/1 2/5-6 0/2 2/3 5 Eau Claire* 1/0 1/0 1/0 2/0 2 Florence* 5/0 6/0 0/0 5/0 5 Forest* 1/2 2/2 3/0 4/2 6 Iowa 1/1 2/1 0/0 1/1 2 Iron* 5/6 11/9 4/1 9/7 16 Jackson* 1/0 7/0 0/0 1/0 1 Juneau* 0/2 0/5 0/1 0/3 3 Kenosha 0/0 0/0 0/1 0/1 1 LaCrosse 1/0 1/0 0/0 1/0 1 Langlade* 1/2 1/3 0/0 1/2 3 Lincoln* 1/0 1/0 0/0 1/0 1 Marinette* 7/3 8/8 2/3 9/6 15 Marquette 1/0 1/0 0/0 1/0 1 Milwaukee 2/0 3/0 0/0 2/0 2 Monroe* 0/1 0/1 1/4 1/5 6 Oconto 0/5 0/8 0/0 0/5 5 Oneida* 3/4 17/6-8 1/0 4/4 8 Outagamie 0/2 0/2 0/0 0/2 2 Polk* 3/ /3 0/1 3/2 5 Portage* 1/0 1/0 0/2 1/2 3 Price* 0/6 0/10 2/7 2/13 15 Rusk* 1/0 1/0 0/1 1/1 2 Sauk 0/1 0/1 0/0 0/1 1 Sawyer* 0/4 0/8 3/2 3/6 9 Shawano 1/1 1/1 0/0 1/1 2 Taylor* 0/0 0/0 0/1 0/1 1 Vernon 1/0 1/0 0/0 1/0 1 Vilas* 1/4 3/7 0/1 1/5 6 Walworth 0/2 0/2 0/0 0/2 2 Washburn* 4/0 4/0 0/0 4/0 4 Washington 0/0 0/0 1/0 1/0 1 Waukesha 0/2 0/2 0/0 0/2 2 Winnebago 0/0 0/0 1/0 1/0 1 Wood* 0/1 0/1 0/2 0/3 3 Totals 50/ / /33 70/ * Counties with known breeding packs. No observations were reported from Adams and Clark Counties where breeding packs are known to exist.

23 23 Table 8. Track Surveys in survey blocks by volunteer vs. DNR Wolf Monitoring Team in northern and central Wisconsin in winter Volunteer Surveys DNR Surveys Survey Main Vol. No. of Wolf Wolf Block County Bleed Track * Surveys Miles Hours Est. Miles Pop. 1 Douglas Douglas Y P Douglas P Douglas Y p Douglas Douglas P Douglas Y P Burnett Douglas Y Washburn Y Burnett P Burnett Barr./Burn P Sawyer P Rusk P ? 22 Washburn Washburn Y Bayfield USFS Bayfield Bayfield Bayfield Bayfield P Bayfield P Bayfield Bayfield Y P Bayfield Bayfield P Bayfield Bayfield Y Ashland Sawyer Y USFS Ashland Sawyer Y P Sawyer

24 Table 8. cont. 24 Volunteer Surveys DNR Surveys Survey Main Vol. No. of Wolf Wolf Block County Bleed Track Surveys Miles Hours Est. Miles Pop. 43 Sawyer P Price P Taylor P Price P Taylor Y Price P Price P Price P Iron Y P Price P Ashland Iron Iron P Iron P Iron P Vilas P Vilas Vilas Y P Oneida P Lincoln P Lincoln P Langlade Langlade Lincoln P Oneida P Oneida Oneida Oneida Vilas P Vilas P Vilas Vilas Forest P

25 Table 8. cont. 25 Volunteer Surveys DNR Surveys Survey Main Vol. No. of Wolf Wolf Block County Bleed Track Surveys Miles Hours Est. Miles Pop. 85 Forest P Forest Oconto P Langlade P ? Forest Forest USFS Forest USFS Florence Florence P Florence Forest P Marinette P Oconto P Marinette P Marinette P Marinette Y P Marinette Y P Marinette Y P Marinette P Marinette P Marinette P Marinette P Oconto P Clark Y P Clark P Jackson Y P/TRI Jackson P/TRI Jackson Y P Juneau Y P Monroe ARM Juneau P Rusk P Adams P

26 Table 8. cont. 26 Volunteer Surveys DNR Surveys Survey Main Vol. No. of Wolf Wolf Block County Bleed Track Surveys Miles Hours Est. Miles Pop. 131 Oconto P Marathon P TOTAL 68 blocks Packs may be counted in more than 1 block. Total wolf estimate and total wolf population reflects double counting of some packs. * USFS = US Forest Service employee ARM = U. S. Army P = Private citizen TRI = Tribal members

27 Table 9. Pack and lone wolf summaries in Wisconsin, winter (Map #'s refer to Figure 1.) Winter Map # Pack or Area Block Counties Count 27 Pup Collared Estim. Evid. 1 Wolf Breed. 2 Northern Wisconsin 1 Foxboro 2,1 Douglas 1 0 T O N 2 Truck Trail 2 Douglas/Pine R&T 268M A Y 3 North Empire 3 Douglas 5 2+ T O Y 4 South Empire 3 Douglas T O Y 5 Lyman Lake 4,3 Douglas 2 0 R& T 496M A 512F A?? 6 Moose Lake 4,9 Douglas R& T 473M A Y 7 Shoberg Lake 6,8,26 Douglas/Bayf 4 2 T O Y 8 Casey Creek 7,31 Douglas/Bayf 2-4 1? O O? 9 Poplar River 7 Douglas 2 0 O O? 10 Chain Lake 8,23 Douglas 3 1? T O N 11 Crotte Creek 9 Douglas T&O O Y 12 Bird Sanctuary 9,3 Douglas R&T 447F A Y 13 Riverside 10 Burnett,Dougl T O Y 14 Moose Road 11,2 Douglas T&R 471M A Y 478F A 15 Chase Brook 11 Burnett/Dougl 2 0 T O N 16 Stuntz Brook 12 Washburn 6 4 T O Y 17 Crex Meadow 13 Burnett T&O O? 18 Sterling Barrens 14 Burnett/Polk T O? 19 Wolf Creek 14 Polk 3 0 T&O O? 20 Clam River 17 Polk/Burnett 3 1? R 460F A? 21 Sand Creek 17 Burn/Polk/Barr 3 1? T O? 22 Wolf Lake 19 Washb/Sawy 2 0 T O N 23 Blue Hills South 20,126 Rusk/Barron 2 0 T O Y 24 Blue Hills North 20 Rusk/Sawyer 3? O&T O? 25 Tranus Lake 22 Washburn R&T 446F A? 26 Frog Creek 23 Washb/Doug T O Y 27 Ghost Lake 24 Sawyer/Bayf T O Y 28 Seeley Hills 24,29 Bayf./Sawyer 2 0 T O Y 29 Smoky Hill 25 Sawyer/Bayf 4 2 T O Y 30 Bearsdale 25,29,27 Bayfield R&T 521M Y 31 Moreland Lake 26 Bayfield/Dougl O O? 32 Rainbow Lake 27,28 Bayfield 2 0 T O Y 33 Ino Swamp 27 Bayfield 1 0 T O? 34 Bibbon Swamp 28 Bayfield T O Y 35 Porcupine Lake 29,35 Bayfield 3 0? T O Y 36 Twin Lakes 30,33 Bayfield R 501M A? 37 Orienta Falls 31 Bayfield/Dougl T O Y 38 Flag River 31,30 Bayfield 3 0-1? R 439F A? 39 Siskiwit Lake 32,33 Bayfield 3 0-1/ T O N 40 Echo Valley 33 Bayfield T O Y 41 Beaver Dam Lake 34,35 Ashland/Bayf T O N 42 Hellhole Creek 35 Bayfield/Ashl T&R 444F A Y 43 Brush Creek 36 Ashland T O Y 44 Black Lake 37 Sawyer/Ashl 3 0? R&T 462M A Y 45 Round Lake 37,42,24 Sawyer T Y 46 Torch River 37,38,36 Ashland/Sawy T&R 248M A Y 47 Shanagolden 38,36 Ashland R&T 475F A Y 48 Hungry Run 40,37,38 Ashland/Sawy R&T 877F A Y

28 28 Table 9. cont. Map # Pack or Area Block Counties Winter Count Pup Estim. Evid. 1 Collared Wolf Breed West Firelane 39,60 Ashland 4 1? T/R 036F A Y 50 Morrison Creek 39,60 Iron/Ashl/MI O O? 51 Log Creek 40 Saw/Ashl/Price 3 0? T O Y 52 Price Creek 41,44 Price/Sawyer T O Y 53 Thornapple River 41,43 Sawyer 2 0 T O Y 54 Davis Lake 41,52 Price T O Y 55 Eddy Creek 42 Sawyer O O? 56 Tupper Creek 43 Sawyer 5 3 T O Y 57 Haystack Corner 43 Sawyer/Rusk T O Y 58 Spring Creek 44,51,46 Price T&R 509F P Y 59 Skinner Creek 44,41 Price T O Y 60 Pershing W.A. 45,47 Taylor T O Y 61 Green Creek 46,44 Price/Rusk 3 1? T O Y 62 Kidrick Swamp 47,46 Taylor T O Y 63 Mondeaux Flowage 47,46 Taylor T O Y 64 Spirit Lake 49,48 Taylor/Price 2 0 R 456F A? 65 Musser Creek 51 Price 2 0 R 481M A Y 66 Little Rice River 51,67 Oneida/Price R&T 355M A Y 67 Bootjack Lake 53,52 Price/Oneida R&T 466F A Y 505F A Miles Lake 54 Price/Iron/Vila 4 2 T O Y 69 Wintergreen 54,52 Price 4 1-2? T O Y 70 Hoffman Lake 55 Iron/Ashl/Price T O Y 71 Murray's Landing 55,54,64 Iron O O? 72 Eastside Firelane 56 Ashland 2 0 T O Y 73 Chippewa River 56,57,58 Iron/Ashland 4 2 T&O O 74 Augustine Lake 57 Ashland/Iron T O Y 75 Magee Creek 57,56 Ashland R 726M A Y 76 O'Brien Lake 57,59 Iron 2-3 0? T O Y 77 Pine Lake 58,59,61 Iron 3 1 T/R 508F Y N 78 Whitney Lake 63 Vilas 2-3 O? O O? 79 North Willow 65 Oneida R/T 461F Y Y 80 Swamp Creek 67,65 Oneida 2 0 T O? 81 Somo River 68 Lincoln R 514F A? 82 Ranger Island 69 Lincoln 3 1? O O? 83 Averill Creek North 70,49 Linc/Price/Tayl R 485F A Y 84 Averill Creek S 70,48 Lincoln/Taylor R 495M P? 85 Clearwater Creek 72,74 Langlade 3 0-1? O O? * Ackley Loner 73 Langlade 1 0 O O N 86 Harrison Hills 75,76 Lincoln/Oneida 3 1? T O Y 87 Pelican Lake 76 Oneida 2 0 T O Y * Stone Lake Loner 79 Oneida 1 0 O O N 88 Escanaba Lake Loner 80 Vilas 1 0 T O? 89 Nineweb Lake 81,80 Vilas ? R&T 499M A? * Phelps Loner 82 Vilas 1 0 T O N 90 Giant Pine 85,84 Forest/Oneida 2 0 T O Y 91 Atkins Lake 86,77 Forest/Oneida 2 0 T O N 92 Ada Lake 92 Langl/Forest 2 0 O O? 93 McArthur Pine 95 Forest 2 0 T O Y * WI Creek Loner 99 Florence 1 0 T O N

29 29 Table 9. cont. Map # Pack or Area Block Counties Winter Count Pup Estim. Evid. 1 Collared Wolf Breed Camp Forest/Marin. 2 0 T O N 95 Eagle Creek 106,102 Marin/Oconto 2-3 0? T O N 96 Pike River 107,106 Marinette T & R 336M A Y 97 Dunbar 108,107 Marin./Floren T O Y * Firelane Loner 112 Marinette 1 0 T O N 98 Lake Noquebay 113 Marinette 3 1? T O Y 99 Long Lake 126,45 Rusk 2 0 R/T 393F A Y 100 Embarrass River 130 Shawan/Marath 1 0 R 454FA N 101 Oconto River 131,90 Oconto/Menom 1 0 R&T 474M A N 452F A * 479M Loner Several Taylor, Rusk 1 0 R 479M Y N * 509F Loner Several Sawyer, Price 1 0 R 509F P N Northern WI Totals 13 Loners 95 Packs Total wolves wolves/pack Pups Central Wisconsin 102 Dewey Marsh Portage 4 1-2? O O? 103 Eau Claire River 117 Clark/E.Claire 4 1-2? T O Y 104 Iron Run 118,117 Clark/E.Claire 4 1-2? T O Y 105 Wedges Creek 118 Clark 2 0 T O Y Korner 119 Clark/Jackson 2+ 0 T&O O Y 107 Noch Hanai 119 Jackson 3 1? T O Y 108 Wildcat Mound 120 Jackson T&R 480M A Y 109 Bear Bluff 121 Jack/Jun/Wood R&T 311F A Y 484M P 502M P 110 South Bluff 121 Wood 2 0 T O Y? 111 Dead Creek 121,122 Monr/Jack/Jun T O Y 112 Fort McCoy 123 Monroe 4 2? T & R 465F Y 113 Rattail 125 Juneau/Wood 3 1? T & R 338M A Y 114 Colburn W.A. 127 Adams 1 0 O O N 115 Mead W.A. 133 Wood/Marath 2 0 T O N Central WI 1 Loner Total wolves Pups Totals 13 Packs wolves/pack Statewide Totals 14 Loners 108 Packs Total wolves wolves/pack Pups 1 R = Radiotelemetry T = Track Surveys O = Observation Reports 2 Y = Yes N = No Y? = Possible? = Unknown * Loners not mapped wolves on reservations off reservations

30 Table 10. Wolf pack territories (mapped in Figure 1) 30 # of radio locations # of other locations b Area (Mi 2 ) Pack Name Map # Year a Collared Wolf Zone 1 Ada Lake 92 Approx. c None 0 3 NE d Atkins Lake 91 Approx. None 0 1 NE Augustine Lake W229 e 0 9 NE Averill Creek North W Averill Creek South W Bearsdale W472, Beaver Dam Lake 41 Approx. None 0 1 NE Bibbon Swamp 34 Approx. W3124, NE Bird Sanctuary W Black Lake W Blue Hills North 24 Approx. None 0 3 NE Bootjack Lake W466, 505, Brush Creek M310 e 0 9 NE Camp 6 94 Approx. None 0 9 NE Casey Creek 8 Approx. None 0 2 NE Chain Lake W NE Chase Brook W NE Chippewa River 73 Approx. None 0 1 NE Clearwater Creek 85 Approx. None 0 5 NE Crex Meadow 17 Approx. None 0 3 NE Crotte Creek W296 e 0 5 NE Davis Lake 54 Approx. None 0 7 NE Dunbar W474 e Eagle Creek 95 Approx. None 0 6 NE Eastside Firelane 72 Approx. None 0 4 NE Echo Valley 40 Approx. None 0 5 NE Eddy Creek 55 Approx. None 0 3 NE Escanaba Lake 88 Approx. None 0 2 NE Flag River W Foxboro 1 Approx. None 0 1 NE Frog Creek 26 Approx. None 0 5 NE Ghost Lake 27 Approx. None 0 9 NE Giant Pine 90 Approx. None 0 7 NE Green Creek 61 Approx. None 0 4 NE Harrison Hills 86 Approx. None 0 10 NE Haystack Corner 57 Approx. None 0 13 NE Hellhole Creek W Hoffman Lake W459 e Hungry Run W Ino Swamp 33 Approx. None 0 1 NE Kidrick Swamp 62 Approx. None 0 2 NE Little Rice River W355, Log Creek W286 e 0 8 NE Lyman Lake W496, Magee Creek M McArthur Pine 93 Approx. None 0 2 NE Miles Lake 68 Approx None 0 6 NE Mondeaux Flowage W441 e 15 5 NE

31 Table 10. cont. 31 Pack Name Map # Year a Collared Wolf # of radio locations # of other locations b Area (Mi 2 ) Moose Lake W Moose Road W471, Moreland Lake W Morrison Creek 50 Approx. None 0 2 NE Murray's Landing W469,481 e Musser Creek W Nineweb Lake W North Empire W298 e 0 1 NE North Willow W O'Brien Lake 76 Approx. None 0 4 NE Orienta Falls 37 Approx. None 0 6 NE Pelican Lake 87 Approx. None 0 6 NE Pershing Wildlife Area 60 Approx. None 0 4 NE Pike River W Pine Lake W Poplar River 9 Approx. None 0 2 NE Porcupine Lake W241 e 15 4 NE Price Creek W368 e 0 5 NE Rainbow Lake W255 e 0 3 NE Ranger Island G994, W Riverside 13 Approx. None 0 7 NE Round Lake W457 e Seeley Hills 28 Approx. None 0 7 NE Shanagolden W Shoberg Lake W290 e 0 7 NE Siskiwit Lake W369 e Skinner Creek 59 Approx. None 0 15 NE Smoky Hill 29 Approx. None 0 4 NE Somo River W South Empire W297 e 0 2 NE Spirit Lake W Spring Creek W Sterling Barrens 18 Approx. None 0 4 NE Stuntz Brook W295 e 0 8 NE Swamp Creek 80 Approx. None 0 0 NE Thornapple River W239 e 0 2 NE Torch River W Tranus Lake W Truck Trail W Tupper Creek W276 e 0 7 NE Twin Lakes W468, 501B West Firelane M Whintey Lake 78 Approx. None 0 6 NE Wintergreen 69 Approx. None 0 10 NE Wolf Creek 19 Approx. None 0 2 NE Wolf Lake 22 Approx. None 0 1 NE

32 32 Table 10. cont. # of radio locations # of other locations b Area (Mi 2 ) Pack Name Map # Year a Collared Wolf Zone 2 2-Korner 106 Approx. None 0 7 NE Bear Bluff W311,417,418, Colburn Wildlife Area 114 Approx. None 0 0 NE Dead Creek W411 e NE Eau Claire River 103 Approx. None 0 6 NE Iron Run W309 e Noch Hanai 107 Approx. None 0 16 NE Rattail W South Bluff 110 Approx. None 0 16 NE Wedges Creek 105 Approx. None 0 4 NE Wildcat Mound W480 e NE Zone 3 Blue Hills South 23 Approx. None 0 7 NE Clam River W Dewey Marsh 102 Approx. None 0 3 NE Embarass River W Ft. McCoy W465 e 4 19 NE Lake Noquebay 98 Approx. None 0 15 NE Long Lake W Mead Wildlife Area 115 Approx. None 0 1 NE Oconto River W449,452,454, Sand Creek 21 Approx. None 0 7 NE a Pack territory boundaries based on available radio locations between 15 April of the previous year to 14 April of the year listed. b Other locations from track surveys, mortalities, depredations, & public and agency reports in c Territory boundaries approximated based on track surveys, mortalities, depredations, & public and agency reports. d No estimate e Territory boundaries based on radiolocations have been significantly modified based on additional location information for this pack and/or surrounding packs.

33 33 Figure 1. Gray Wolf Distribution in Wisconsin: Winter (Refer to numbering in Tables 9 & 10)

34 34 Figure 2. Reported probable and possible wolf observations, October 2004 to March 2005.