Judge to announce Friday whether wolf hunt will be delayed

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A judge says he’ll announce Friday whether Wisconsin’s first wolf hunt will be delayed.

Dane County Circuit Judge Peter Anderson heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that challenges the use of hunting dogs to track wolves.

Humane societies say it will result in bloody encounters between the two, and the dogs will be the ones to die.

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Habush, accused the DNR of “malpractice” by not restricting the use of hunting dogs.

Assistant Attorney General Cynthia Hirsch said the DNR had no choice in the matter because the Legislature did not authorize limits on hunting dogs when it approved the wolf hunt.

The judge will decide whether to issue a temporary injunction, which would delay the hunt while the full lawsuit is being considered.

The humane societies asked the DNR to block the approval of hunting permits unless hunters are notified that they cannot train dogs to go after the wolves. The agency said it would not have enough time to add the dog restrictions to the permits before the season is scheduled to begin in mid-October.

As of Wednesday, Aug. 29, more than 16,500 people had applied for the 2,000-plus permits that will be available. If the season goes on, up to 116 wolves can be shot.

Another 85 were designated for Chippewa Indians, but the tribes are protecting those animals.

Tags: crime and courts, environment, outdoors