Wisconsin 2014-2015 Wolf Hunting and Trapping Season

Wisconsin Wolf Hunting has been suspended. The gray wolf population within the state has been placed back under federal protection.

Wolf Season is October 15, 2014 – February 28, 2015.

• Wolf Harvest Zones may close before the end of season date if quotas are met
• Hunters are responsible for checking wolf harvest zones before leaving to hunt to make sure the zone is still open

  • Hunters can find information on wolf harvest zone closures at dnr.wi.gov or by calling (855)299-9653
  • Hunters may also sign up for zone closure email notifications by calling (888)936-7463 and providing a current email address.

• Hunters must report a harvest within 24 hours of the kill by calling (855)299-9653 between 7 A.M. and 10 P.M.

Fees and Regulations:

• Resident licenses $49
• Nonresident licenses $251
• Hunters born after Jan 1, 1973 must have a valid Hunters Education Certificate or proof of successful completion of basic training in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard to purchase a license.
• Trappers must have successfully completed a Wisconsin Trapper Education course or other approved trapper education course
• Hunter orange is required when wolf season corresponds to an open season for deer
• Trapped wolves must be dispatched with a firearm.

Methods for hunting a wolf:

• Authorized firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow
• With the use of dogs to track or trail wolf from Dec. 1 – last day of season
• Predator calls, including electronic calls
• Bait that does not contain animal parts, by-products (other than liquid scents), or substances that are poisonous to canines

When hunting with dogs it is illegal to:

• Train dogs to pursue wolf.
• Hunt or pursue wolves with dogs unless the person using the dogs has on their person rabies tags and license tags for each dog.
• Hunt or pursue wolves with a dog that is not tattooed or that isn’t wearing a collar with the owner’s name and address attached.
• Allow a dog to kill any wild animal. The use of firearms, crossbows, and bow and arrow are the only legal hunting methods allowed to kill a wolf.
• Use more than six dogs in a single pack to trail or track wolf, regardless of the number of people assisting the holder of the wolf harvest license or the dog’s ownership.
• Hunt wolves with dogs outside of the hunting hours.

During the season it is illegal to:

• Hunt wolves at night or outside of designated hunting hours specified by the DNR.
• Use telemetry devices.
• To set, place, or operate steel-jawed foothold traps with a maximum spread width of more than 7 inches from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30.
• To set, place, or operate cable restraints for wolves except from Dec. 1, 2014 – Feb. 28, 2015

For more information please visit The Wisconsin DNR 2014-2015 Wolf Hunting & Trapping Regulations