Over 8,000 apply for wolf hunting permits; lawsuit pending

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MADISON - As of Thursday, almost 8,400 people have applied to take part in Wisconsin’s first wolf hunting season – if a judge doesn’t strike it down, that is.

Several environmental and animal rights’ groups filed suit yesterday to try and stop the scheduled wolf hunt which runs from mid-October through the end of February. At issue is the use of dogs to help hunters track down the wolves. Plaintiffs say there is irrefutable evidence that wolves will get into confrontations with the hunting dogs, injuring and killing those dogs. DNR spokesman Bill Cosh said today it’s disappointed in the lawsuit – and they agency is in the process reviewing the complaint. The lawsuit was filed in Dane County Circuit Court.

Meanwhile, more than four people have applied for every available wolf hunting-and-trapping permit. The application process runs through the end of the month, and the hunters will be chosen in a lottery.

Tags: outdoors