The Wolf Preservation Blog

Following the 2009 Minnesota deer season, Northland hunters claimed deer populations have been dwindling because of an increase in the wolf population.

However, wildlife biologist John Erb said hunters don’t have anything to be concerned over.

“For the most part there is no reason to be concerned. I think what has happened is that over the last 10-15 years, expectations have been high. We’ve had a very abundant deer population,” Erb said. “Hunters have come accustomed to getting a deer every year and often times on first day or weekend…so we’ve developed some unrealistic expectations what should occur.”

However, hunters’ fears aren’t completely unwarranted. A comprehensive study just completed by the minnesota DNR shows wolves are having an impact on the deer population. The 15-year-long study followed the behavior of 450 collared deer and 55 collared wolves living in the same area.

According to the research, an estimated 3,000 wolves roam Northland woods. It’s believed each wolf requires 15 to 19 adult deer annually. That’s approximately 45,000 to 57,000 deer annually per 3,000 wolves.

“It certainly is a large number, but when you look at that in the context of how many deer there are, it’s not too significant,” Erb said. “It represents, on average, 10 percent of our deer population taken by wolves in a given year.”

Estimates have deer populations near half a million roaming in wolf ranges. This equates to approximately 150 deer per wolf.

“The fact that wolves are present and eat deer doesn’t mean a deer population is affected from one year to the next,” Erb said.

Tough winters and extensive deer harvest from previous years have greater impacts on deer herds.

Wolves are considered a federal endangered species and are protected. Shooting a wolf can elicit maximum fines of $20,000 and loss of hunting licensure.

Thanks to WDIO.com for providing the information.

http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S1801461.shtml?cat=10335