Wisconsin and Michigan
A vision for wolves
The Mission of the Timber Wolf Alliance (TWA) is to use science-based information to promote an ecologically-functional wolf population in areas of suitable habitat and to promote human coexistence with wolves. The Alliance’s geographic emphasis is within the states of Michigan and Wisconsin.
While the Timber Wolf Alliance’s mission statement doesn’t address the details of wolf management policy, it is the basis for underlying tenets that TWA believes are fundamental to sound wolf management. Specifically, the Timber Wolf Alliance envisions a future in which:
The size of the wolf population is not regulated by humans in large areas of wildland where levels of conflict are minimal. In these areas, wolves maintain their normal pack structure and size and fulfill their ecological function as an apex predator. Wolves in these areas are protected for conservation, cultural, scientific, and non-consumptive purposes. The public comes to these areas to track, listen for howls, observe, and photograph wolves and wolf sign. These areas also serve as important scientific research areas, where wolves are studied under conditions less manipulated by humans.
State and Tribal Governments operate flexible management/stewardship systems that address farmers’ and pet owners’ concerns when they have verified harm to their domestic animals.
Government personnel assist the public in identifying wolf and other wildlife damage, provide advice on co-existence and abatements, address the rare instances of human safety concern, and when necessary, provide lethal control on problem wolves.
Tribal and state governments work cooperatively to establish management goals within tribally ceded lands, and to protect and steward wolves within tribal reservations and buffer areas around those reservations for wolves whose territories span both state and tribal lands. State and federal government agents consult with tribal conservation departments before conducting lethal controls in recognized buffer areas around reservations.
The public is “wolf wise,” due to ongoing efforts by governments and non-government organizations to provide information and outreach on wolf biology, their ecological function, the benefits they provide, and the problems they can cause. Polarization of the public is reduced through the dissemination of accurate, balanced, and thoughtful information and by using the best available science as a foundation for making management decisions. Educational materials help us, as a society, to coexist with, enjoy and benefit from wolves without habituating them to human presence.
Regulated hunting and trapping may—or may not—be taking place. Regulated-take is not a necessary component of management, but it is compatible with the TWA vision if properly implemented. Decisions regarding possible regulated-take are made only after the State Departments of Natural Resources gather extensive public input, and consult with area Tribes.
Where a regulated-take does occur, harvest is limited so that the benefits wolves provide are not reduced. Regulated-take is spatially-focused, adaptive, and designed to reduce current and future conflict, and take is done in a humane, sustainable, and socially acceptable fashion. Some core areas, including tribal reservations or large blocks of public land, remain closed to hunting and trapping for conservation, cultural, and scientific reasons.
Hunting and trapping seasons end before the wolves begin to breed, and dogs cannot be used to hunt wolves. Regulations regarding the training of hunting dogs and the baiting of wildlife are designed to minimize the negative impacts of such activities on wolves, other wildlife, and hunting dogs.
Overall, the Timber Wolf Alliance believes that wolf conservation should be based on recognition of the broad understanding of the benefits of a healthy wolf population, while minimizing the problems wolves sometimes cause.
Adopted by the Timber Wolf Alliance Advisory Council on January 19, 2018
A vision for wolves
The Mission of the Timber Wolf Alliance (TWA) is to use science-based information to promote an ecologically-functional wolf population in areas of suitable habitat and to promote human coexistence with wolves. The Alliance’s geographic emphasis is within the states of Michigan and Wisconsin.
While the Timber Wolf Alliance’s mission statement doesn’t address the details of wolf management policy, it is the basis for underlying tenets that TWA believes are fundamental to sound wolf management. Specifically, the Timber Wolf Alliance envisions a future in which:
The size of the wolf population is not regulated by humans in large areas of wildland where levels of conflict are minimal. In these areas, wolves maintain their normal pack structure and size and fulfill their ecological function as an apex predator. Wolves in these areas are protected for conservation, cultural, scientific, and non-consumptive purposes. The public comes to these areas to track, listen for howls, observe, and photograph wolves and wolf sign. These areas also serve as important scientific research areas, where wolves are studied under conditions less manipulated by humans.
State and Tribal Governments operate flexible management/stewardship systems that address farmers’ and pet owners’ concerns when they have verified harm to their domestic animals.
Government personnel assist the public in identifying wolf and other wildlife damage, provide advice on co-existence and abatements, address the rare instances of human safety concern, and when necessary, provide lethal control on problem wolves.
Tribal and state governments work cooperatively to establish management goals within tribally ceded lands, and to protect and steward wolves within tribal reservations and buffer areas around those reservations for wolves whose territories span both state and tribal lands. State and federal government agents consult with tribal conservation departments before conducting lethal controls in recognized buffer areas around reservations.
The public is “wolf wise,” due to ongoing efforts by governments and non-government organizations to provide information and outreach on wolf biology, their ecological function, the benefits they provide, and the problems they can cause. Polarization of the public is reduced through the dissemination of accurate, balanced, and thoughtful information and by using the best available science as a foundation for making management decisions. Educational materials help us, as a society, to coexist with, enjoy and benefit from wolves without habituating them to human presence.
Regulated hunting and trapping may—or may not—be taking place. Regulated-take is not a necessary component of management, but it is compatible with the TWA vision if properly implemented. Decisions regarding possible regulated-take are made only after the State Departments of Natural Resources gather extensive public input, and consult with area Tribes.
Where a regulated-take does occur, harvest is limited so that the benefits wolves provide are not reduced. Regulated-take is spatially-focused, adaptive, and designed to reduce current and future conflict, and take is done in a humane, sustainable, and socially acceptable fashion. Some core areas, including tribal reservations or large blocks of public land, remain closed to hunting and trapping for conservation, cultural, and scientific reasons.
Hunting and trapping seasons end before the wolves begin to breed, and dogs cannot be used to hunt wolves. Regulations regarding the training of hunting dogs and the baiting of wildlife are designed to minimize the negative impacts of such activities on wolves, other wildlife, and hunting dogs.
Overall, the Timber Wolf Alliance believes that wolf conservation should be based on recognition of the broad understanding of the benefits of a healthy wolf population, while minimizing the problems wolves sometimes cause.
Adopted by the Timber Wolf Alliance Advisory Council on January 19, 2018