Wisconsin wolf hunt ends early after 82 wolves harvested in less than two days

Wisconsin's first wolf hunt in seven years ended early after participants’ harvested 69% of the statewide quota in less than two days, prompting wildlife authorities to shut it down.

Hunters and trappers registered 82 gray wolves in the first 39 hours of the special season, which began Monday and was scheduled to run through Sunday if harvest quotas were not met. However, outdoor enthusiasts were apparently right on target, surpassing the kill goal in two of six management zones across the Badger State, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the hunt on Wednesday. "I'm a little bit surprised with how quickly [the season] went," George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, told the outlet. "I think the snow had a lot to do with it and conditions were good. The use of hounds and trapping have had high success in the past, and it's likely they did this week, too." The Journal reports that the 82 kills represent 69% of the statewide harvest quota of 119 wolves for the season. Hunters and trappers must report their harvest within 24 hours of the time of kill.