DNR says state's gray wolf population is 880

Wisconsin had up to 880 gray wolves when spring began, 4 percent more than the year before, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR said Wednesday that the wolf population is between 815 and 880, including about 40 animals on Indian reservations.

The numbers outside the reservations were more than double the state’s original goal of having 350 wolves.

Officials said there were at least 213 packs of two wolves or more. The largest was a group of 10 animals at Fort McCoy near Sparta. Officials say the number of wolves has resulted in farm and hunting animals being killed.

Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature approved a new hunting and trapping season for wolves after the state was given final authority in January to manage its own population. The DNR is currently working on the details for the new season.

Tags: sports, outdoors, environment